Rio de Janeiro
Hazardous aircraft carrier sunk:
To the dismay of environmentalists, the Brazilian navy this week sank a decrepit retired aircraft carrier that contained tons of asbestos and other toxins. The São Paulo, a 30,000-ton vessel built in France in 1957, was supposed to be recycled for parts in Turkey last year, but as it completed its transatlantic journey the deal was scuttled over revelations that it contained more toxic materials than previously disclosed. No port would accept the damaged ship, which had suffered major fires in 2005 and 2012, and after having towed it in circles for weeks, the navy planned a controlled sinking in a deepwater area. Environmental groups, including Basel Action Network, protested the scuttling, saying it could cause “incalculable” damage to marine life, but a judge sided with the navy, which said the ship was in danger of sinking on its own in shallower water, which would cause greater harm.