Obama warns of ‘massive disaster’ as oil spill spreads

US President Barack Obama yesterday warned of “massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster” as a giant oil slick from the Gulf of Mexico threatens environmental and economic catastrophe.

Obama was visiting Louisiana to rally faltering efforts to protect the shores against the slick.

Obama gave Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal a reassuring hug on the rainswept New Orleans tarmac before they sped off to Venice, a small fishing village two hours drive away on the coast that has become a hub for the response effort.