The Civil Protection Unit of the Commission has been informed that the Greek tanker "AEGEAN SEA" with some 80 000 tonnes of North Sea crude oil on board ran aground on 2 December 1992 off La Coruna (North West Spain). The latest situation report is that the tanker is still burning at the front while the middle and aft sections are isolated from the fire. However, weather conditions are bad and the weather forecast indicates very strong winds from the North West (30 knots) which could result in more broken tanks. On scene coordination is being carried out from the local government office in Coruna. Heavy pollution has been observed and the development of the whole situation is difficult to foresee at this stage. During the day, it is expected that a possible request for assistance from outside Spain will be decided upon by the Spanish authorities. Such a request would probably in the first instance be addressed to France and the United Kingdom. Several Italian private companies have already offered their assistance. The Commission's Civil Protection Unit has been on standby since the first announcement and the Crisis Team is ready to give assistance if needed. The Unit is in permanent contact with all the authorities concerned and Task Force experts will be sent out as soon as a request is received. * * *
