1967
Torrey Canyon oil spill, off the south-west coast of the United Kingdom in 1967, is one of the world’s most serious oil spills. At the time it was the world’s worst oil spill, with an estimated 25–36 million gallons (94–164 million litres) of crude oil spilt.
Cornish coast located about 50 miles (80 km) of French and 120 miles (190 km) were contaminated. Around 15,000 sea birds were killed, along with huge numbers of marine organisms, before the 270 square miles (700 km2) slick dispersed.