Gale-force winds and high waves were preventing rescuers Thursday from salvaging a Cypriot cargo ship that ran aground off Latvia’s coast and was leaking oil into the Baltic Sea.
The Greek-owned Golden Sky was carrying 25,000 metric tons (27,500 short tons) of mineral fertilizer when the accident occurred Monday in heavy seas.
All 24 crew were rescued by helicopter.
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Some fuel had reached the coast where local authorities had begun a mop-up operation, said Vilnis Avotins, head of the State Environmental Service.
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The Golden Sky encountered engine problems during a storm in the early hours of Monday and dropped anchor. However, the storm broke the anchor chain tossing the ship aground.