Kuwait City,Kuwait,March 1991. Oil wells burning out of control in the Al-Ahmadi oil fields located on the outskirts of Kuwait City. The oil fields were set on fire by retreating Iraqi troops hoping to create some cover from American airplanes strafing their positions. The fires and smoke caused one of the greatest environmental disasters of modern times. Nearly 800 oil wells were set ablaze by the retreating Iraqi army and the fires were not fully extinguished until November 6,1991,eight months after the end of the war. The fires consumed an estimated six million barrels of oil daily. Their immediate consequence was a dramatic decrease in air quality,causing respiratory problems for many Kuwaitis. The sabotage of the oil wells also impacted the | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Bocxe, Wesley |
Bildgröße: | 5268 px × 3514 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
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