The MV Prestige was a Greek-owned oil tanker that encountered difficulties off the coast of Galicia, Spain, in November 2002. The ship was carrying heavy fuel oil when rough seas and stormy weather caused it to develop serious structural issues, leading to a rupture in its tanks. Despite being in distress, the Prestige was initially denied entry into nearby ports for safety reasons, which exacerbated the situation. As the ship struggled to stay afloat, it eventually sank, releasing an immense amount of oil into the ocean. Reports estimate that about 63,000 metric tons of heavy fuel oil were discharged, making it one of the largest environmental disasters in European waters, even surpassing the Exxon Valdez oil spill in terms of volume spilled. The incident drew significant media attention due to its disastrous impact on the ecosystem and local communities reliant on fishing and tourism.

The spill had immediate consequences for the region's wildlife, with vast stretches of coastline affected and a major fishing ban introduced to protect both the environment and local economies. Clean-up efforts were hampered by adverse weather conditions, making it difficult to contain the spill quickly. The environmental effects would take years to fully assess, and the long-term ramifications on marine life and the local economy were profound, leading to vehement public protests and political backlash against the handling of the crisis by both the shipping company and the Spanish government.