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Italy's 'poison ships'

A ship called the Deep Sea Carrier arrived in the Italian coastal town of Manfredonia in September 1988. It was carrying toxic waste and caused huge protests.

In September 1988, protests broke out in Manfredonia, Italy, after the arrival of a large ship carrying toxic waste of Italian origin. The Deep Sea Carrier had arrived from Nigeria, after a protracted diplomatic dispute between Italy and Nigeria.

For four days, the town was completely shut down and by the end of the protests, an environmental movement was born.

The Deep Sea Carrier and another ship, the Karin B, became known as the ‘navi dei veleni’, or poison ships.

Jill Achineku speaks to Rosa Porcu, a teacher and one of the protesters. A Whistledown production for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ World Service.

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(Photo: Rusty barrrels of toxic waste. Credit: iznashih)

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