On this day in 1996, the Sea Empress supertanker runs aground near Wales, spilling 70,000 tons of crude oil. Though the oil spill did not take any human lives, it damaged several bird sanctuaries.

The Sea Empress slammed into some underwater rocks and ran to the ground. The 28-meter Russian crew worked feverishly to re-float the tanker, while attempting to move the oil to undamaged holding areas. The foul weather reduced the effectiveness of these measures.

After some time, the crew of the ship was pulled off the Sea Empress by Royal Air Force helicopters. High winds prevented most salvage operations and the only measure officials could take was to drop detergent and chemicals over the growing oil spill. The 70,000 tons of oil spilled caused a 12-mile long oil slick. Beaches were covered with slimy oil, resulting in the deaths of thousands of seabirds.

Skomer and Skokholm islands suffered severe damage that was repaired 10 years later. For about a week, the Sea Empress was finally pulled in to port.