Liability for a major oil spill that closed 13 beaches in Hong Kong has yet to be determined after the slick spread to the city 's beaches following a collision between two vessels in China 's Pearl River Delta . About 1,000 tonnes of the oil was shed and 500 tonnes has been removed from Hong Kong 's beaches , including tourist hotspots . The water at a popular tourist destination fishing village was photographed as covered in palm oil and rubbish. Hong Kong authorities were not alerted for two days about the crash , which occurred within 50 miles of the city . The oil company involved has not been identified , creating uncertainty about which jurisdiction will handle damages claims .
Liability for a major oil spill that closed 13 beaches in Hong Kong has yet to be determined after the slick spread to the city 's beaches following a collision between two vessels in China 's Pearl River Delta . About 1,000 tonnes of the oil was shed and 500 tonnes has been removed from Hong Kong 's beaches , including tourist hotspots . Hong Kong authorities were not alerted for two days about the crash , which occurred within 50 miles of the city . The oil company involved has not been identified , creating uncertainty about which jurisdiction will handle damages claims .