US military to help stop Mexico oil leak

The US military has joined efforts to stop an oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.



The US Coast Guard says five times as much oil as previously thought could be leaking from the well beneath where a rig exploded and sank last week.



Rear Admiral Mary Landry had said Five thousand barrels a day were gushing into the sea off Louisiana.



The Department of Homeland Security has designated the spill as one of national significance.



Homeland Security official Janet Napolitano, who is to oversee operations, says this designation would allow resources to be ordered in from other US states.



Meanwhile, a coastguard official says the oil slick is expected to wash ashore on the Gulf Coast on Friday.