Oil spill threatens Southern California wildlife and closes down beaches while Coast Guard investigates source of leak

Officials warned of an “environmental catastrophe” on Sunday after more than 120,000 gallons of oil leaked from a rig and washed up on beaches south of Los Angeles, threatening wildlife and closing popular shores.

Shortly before midnight local time, officials had yet to confirm that the leak had been fully stopped, said Petty Officer Richard Brahm, a spokesman for the Coast Guard, adding that the oil rig was still being evaluated.