Weisshorn
On 27 February 1994, the container ship the Weisshorn was waiting for a space in the port of Sevilla off the Guadalquivir estuary (Andalusia) when it met with severe weather conditions. The anchor gave way and the ship was thrown onto rocks, heavily damaging the hull.
An attempt to refloat the ship was made by a tug but the hull of the Weisshorn was already full of water. The ship sank with its cargo, 6,200 tonnes of rice from Bangkok (Thailand).
Over the following months, the rice fermented and gave off breakdown products liable to affect the environment.
Source:
- HOOKE, Norman, 1997, Maritime Casualties 1963-1996, second edition, LLP Limited, London
Name: Weisshorn
Date: 27 February 1994
Location: Spain
Accident area: Guadalquivir estuary, Andalousia
Cause of spill: grounding
Type of pollutant: rice
Quantity spilled: 6,200 tonnes
Ship type: container ship
Date built: 1976
Flag: Cypriot
Last update: April 2006