On April 20, 2010, an explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, leading to the largest accidental release of oil into marine waters in history. The explosion killed 11 people and caused the rig to sink, resulting in the release of over 4 million barrels of oil into the Gulf.
The oil spill had significant impacts on the environment and on the people who rely on the Gulf for their livelihoods. The spill caused widespread pollution and had significant impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems, including the loss of wildlife and damage to habitat. The oil also had economic impacts, as it affected the fishing and tourism industries in the region.
The cleanup and response efforts for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill were extensive and costly. In the aftermath of the disaster, BP, the company that operated the rig, faced significant criticism and legal action for its handling of the spill. The disaster led to changes in regulations and practices in the offshore oil drilling industry in an effort to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.