Florida 'has escaped water quality damage of oil spill'

Florida has been able to escape from water quality damage of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill relatively unharmed, it has been suggested.

According to the chief marketing officer for Visit Florida Will Seccombe, the sunshine state did not "receive the environmental impact that many assumed" after an oil rig exploded in the Gulf in April 2010.

The blast killed 11 people and caused millions of gallons of oil to leak into the sea, resulting in extreme environmental concern over the water quality and ecological impact in the area.

Mr Seccombe stated: "Today, 100 per cent of the beaches are clean and clear."

Since the spill, BP, which was operating on the rig at the time, has launched it clean-up initiative to limit the damage caused.

It has confirmed there are teams at 17 areas across the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida to scoop up the oil on beaches, wetlands and other coastal areas.

Posted by Lauren Steadman