Another Oily Shroud

THE TANKER AEGEAN SEA NEVER MADE PORT. Loaded with nearly 24 million gal. of North Sea crude, struggling in heavy seas, the Greek-registered vessel foundered on rocks near the entrance to the Spanish port of La Coruna and began leaking from at least two of its nine tanks. As a series of explosions tore through the ship, sinking its bow and adding to the sludgy deluge, rescuers evacuated all of the 29-member crew by helicopter. The accident occurred at almost the exact spot along the northwest shore, nicknamed the "Coast of Death" for its toll on sea traffic over the years, where the tanker Urquiola ran aground and lost nearly 30 million gallons of oil in 1976. Last week's mishap could cause serious damage to the seafood farms and tourist beaches that provide the region's two major sources of income.