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An explosion aboard the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico explodes killing 11 people
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The Deepwater Horizon rig sinks to the bottom of the Gulf after burning for 36 hour
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The US Coast Guard warns the oil leak could become the worst oil spill in US History
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The US Coast Guard set fire to patches of oil to prevent it from spreading.
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Oil from the leak begins to wash ashore in Louisiana
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BP prepare to plug the leaking well with heavy drilling mud
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The US announces a criminal inquiry into BP oil spill
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The US Geo Survey estimates the oil flow at as many as 40,000 barrels per day
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Oil spills reaches Texas meaning it has affected all five US Gulf states
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Thad Allen the US Coast Guard official overseeing the operation says BP oil well poses "no further risk"
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The ruptured well is finally sealed and "effectively dead"
