Disaster declared after Australia oil spill

Authorities declared parts of Australia's northeast coast a disaster area Friday after tons of oil from a damaged cargo ship contaminated several beaches popular with tourists.

Queensland state Premier Anna Bligh declared Moreton Island, Bribie Island and southern parts of the Sunshine Coast as disaster zones after a ship lost more than 30 tons of fuel when its hull was pierced by a container washed overboard.

"It may well be the worst environmental disaster Queensland has ever seen," Bligh told Australian Associated Press. The ship was capable of carrying 100 tons of oil and the spill was now much larger than initial reports indicated, she said.