Oil slick spill off Australia's northwest coast

(NECN) – A plane loaded with chemical dispersant on Saturday rushed toward a slick spilling from an oil rig in remote waters off Australia’s northwest coast. The crew of 69 people were evacuated from the rig early on Friday when the leak of oil and gas was noticed. No one was injured. On Saturday, a slick about 30 yards (metres) wide stretched some eight nautical miles on the ocean surface about 150 miles (250 kilometres) northwest off the coast of the Kimberley region. Rig operator PTTEP Australasia said in a statement on Saturday that it was still trying to find ways to bring the leak under control. About 40 barrels of oil were believed to have spilled initially and some condensate, a crude petroleum product used for blending, was also discharged along with gas, the company said. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said a C-130 military-style cargo plane was en route to the area carrying chemicals it would drop on the slick to disperse it. Other planes were on standby. The following footage and story is from AuBC/CH7/CH9 POOL and AP.