Human consequences
Gulf fishing communities lose their income for months.
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IndustrialDeepwater Horizon oil spill
11Deaths
Not quantifiedDisplaced / homeless
$65bnEstimated cost
- 11 workers killed in the rig explosion.
- Total estimated costs for BP: more than 65 billion dollars.
The explosion of the drilling rig operated for BP causes the largest accidental marine oil spill in history: about 4.9 million barrels escape over 87 days.
Consequences
Environmental consequences
Mass deaths of dolphins, turtles and birds; deep-sea corals damaged.
Economic consequences
Gulf fishing and tourism hit hard; a record fine for BP.
Political consequences
A moratorium on deepwater drilling and a complete overhaul of the federal regulator.
Further reading
Similar disasters
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- AZF factory explosionIndustrial · France2001
- Beirut port explosionIndustrial · Lebanon2020
- Halifax ExplosionIndustrial · Canada1917
In the rankings : The worst industrial and nuclear disasters No. 8The costliest disasters in history No. 10
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