Gulf of Mexico oil disaster

There are fears of an environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, as efforts to clear up an oil spill have been suspended because of bad weather.



A drilling rig leased by the oil company BP exploded and sank off the Louisiana coast last Thursday.



Officials say some 1,000 barrels of oil a day are now leaking into the sea from the damaged well.



They say the oil leak has the potential to damage beaches, barrier islands and wetlands across the coastline.



Eleven workers are still missing and presumed to have been killed in the accident and the search for them has since been called off.



More than 100 other workers were rescued.