Australian Sunshine Coast Declared Disaster Zone

The Sunshine Coast in Australia has been declared a disaster zone after a large oil spill

The spill, that is "substantially" larger than first estimated, came ashore late Friday. The slick has contaminated about 60 kilometers of beach and mangroves, the Australian newspaper reported.

Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, declared parts of the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Island and Bribie Island disaster zones after a container ship leaked fuel oil in a storm, threatening populations of turtles, pelicans and other wildlife, Bloomberg reported.

Swire Shipping, operator of the MV Pacific Adventurer said yesterday the vessel discharged "substantially more" heavy fuel oil than previously estimated.

The accident occurred when 31 containers carrying ammonium nitrate washed overboard in rough seas whipped up by Tropical Cyclone Hamish, piercing the hull of the Pacific Adventurer.

More than 100 rescue workers have been deployed to help repair the damage north of the state capital, Brisbane, and more are on standby, the Queensland state government stated.

"Preparations are ongoing to restore all beach areas as soon as possible, but there is no denying that this is a tragedy for the affected regions," Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said.

Tourism Queensland has begun work on a marketing campaign before the "crucial Easter holiday period," she added in a statement.