NATION IN BRIEF : FLORIDA : Cargo Ship Blamed for Damage to Coral

A 473-foot cargo ship that ran aground in the Dry Tortugas on Monday has caused “massive and extensive” damage to Florida’s sensitive coral formations, some of which are 200 years old, Randy Lewis, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Natural Resources, said. Lewis said state officials believe the ship destroyed tens of millions of dollars worth of coral. The damage extends along the length of the ship, and about 75 feet beyond the stern, he said. Meanwhile, salvage workers hired to refloat the Yugoslav ship Mavro Vetranic began unloading fuel oil in an effort to prevent a spill.