Pipeline Broke Causing Oil Leakage in Canada

A major pipeline has broken near a busy port in Canada, spewing thousands of litres of crude oil and causing homes to be evacuated amid safety fears.

Oil went spilling into the ocean near the Port of Vancouver, after a backhoe digging device hit a major pipeline in a residential neighbourhood.

Thousands of litres of oil spouted from the 24-inch pipeline for 90 minutes before it was contained.

The pipeline, owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, carries oil to storage and transfer facilities on the shores of the inlet.

Environment experts are assessing damage from the spill and will try to work out who should take responsibility.