South Korea-bound ship hits San Francisco bridge, spills oil

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — San Francisco's scenic beaches remained closed Thursday after a South Korean container ship collided with a Bay Bridge tower and spilled some 58,000 gallons of oil.

The 250-meter (810-foot) Cosco Busan was leaving Oakland port when it slammed into the tower in heavy fog on Wednesday morning.

"The vessel reported damage to the forward left side and bulk fuel ... was leaking," the US Coast Guard said in a statement.

The Coast Guard and San Francisco Police placed a 30 meter (100 foot) saftey zone around the vessel before experts began cleaning up the spill.

The Coast Guard said late Wednesday that some 8,000 gallons had been recovered.

The beaches were to remain closed until further notice.

The ship...