Holiday ferry’s horror smash

HOLIDAYMAKERS were banned from some of Gran Canaria’s best beaches after a ferry crash caused a two-mile diesel slick. Spanish coastguard crews were yesterday working to clean up the spill around Las Palmas and Telde.

The Volcán de Tamasite, which was carrying 150 passengers, smashed into a sea wall late on Friday in Las Palmas, injuring 13 people.

Ferry operator Naviera Armas said the accident was caused by a fault that sparked a power cut on the boat.

Emergency crews managed to collect half of the 16,000 gallons of diesel that spilled into the ocean. ‘Experts do not believe there is risk to the environment,’ tweeted Fernando Clavijo, the president of the Canary Islands government.

Repairing a 65ft hole in the concrete pier will cost around £1.7million and take six months, he added.