Patrick Barth • Photographer

On November 19th 2002 the stricken Oil tanker "Prestige" breaks into two pieces and sinks off the coast of Galicia unleashing one of the worst oil disasters Europe has ever seen. Up to 70000 tons of heavy oil on board are gradually leaking into the sea. The whole of Northern Spain renowned for its rich fishing grounds is thrown into chaos. Marine nature reserves with unique species are destroyed. Despite efforts to close the leaks of the wreck at a depth of 3000m, the tanker will be loosing oil for years to come. A volunteer had to start work without gloves because of bad management of resources.