Sabotage blamed for Milford Sound diesel spill

Saboteurs are being blamed for a massive oil slick in one of New Zealand’s most famous and important tourist destinations. A police investigation has reportedly been launched after 13,000 litres of diesel fuel leaked into the south island’s famous Milford Sound, creating a two-kilometre slick close to a marine reserve that is home to rare birds, seals and dolphins. Milford Sound has been closed since the spill was discovered yesterday, with thousands of tourists already turned back. According to the New Zealand Herald, the slick came from a scenic charter boat, the owners of which are claiming that the leak was caused by an act of sabotage. Real Journeys’ chief executive Dave Hawkey says a member of staff discovered that a high-pressure hose had been pushed into the boat’s fuel tank, but was at a loss as to who might have done such a thing. He reportedly told the newspaper: “Competition is left to the marketplace. Milford is a tight community and people have to get on with each other. This sort of behaviour is just despicable – why would anyone want to do this in such a beautiful place?”