The Whiddy Island disaster, also known as the Betelgeuse incident or Betelgeuse disaster, occurred on 8 January 1979, around 1:00 am, when the oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded in Bantry Bay, at the offshore jetty for the oil terminal at Whiddy Island, Ireland. The explosion was attributed to the failure of the ship's structure during an operation to discharge its cargo of oil. The tanker was owned by Total S.A., and the oil terminal was owned by Gulf Oil.
Burning wreckage of Betelgeuse near Whiddy Island on the morning of 8 January 1979
Whiddy Island Oil Terminal, taken in 2003: The view is from the north side of Bantry Bay. The three small objects in the water on the extreme right are the remnants of the concrete jetty.
Disused tanker jetty
Unloading buoy
Whiddy Island is an island near the head of Bantry Bay in Ireland. It is approximately 5.6 km (3.5 mi) long and 2.4 km (1.5 mi) wide. The topography comprises gently-rolling glacial till, with relatively fertile soil. As late as 1880 the island had a resident population of around 450, mainly engaged in fishing and small-scale farming, but today the population has reduced to approximately 30 people. Previously home to Whiddy Island Naval Air Station, the island is noted for its oil terminal facilities – and the related Whiddy Island Disaster.
Whiddy Island seen from the south shore of Bantry Bay
Whiddy Island oil terminal, seen from the north shore of Bantry Bay in 2003
Disused tanker jetty
Whiddy Island oil storage tanks
