Mauritius oil spill in the Indian Ocean

The island of Mauritius is facing an environmental emergency as a wrecked ship leaks tons of diesel and oil into the Indian Ocean.

The ship ran aground at the end of July off Pointe d’Esny, on the island’s east coast, according to local media reports and environmental campaigners. The location is close to the Blue Bay Marine Park reservation and several tourist beaches.

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared a state of environmental distress on 7 August.

“Thousands of species in the vicinity of the independent lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny and Mahebourg risk drowning in a sea of ​​pollution, with dire consequences for the economy, food security and health of Mauritius,” said Happy Khambule, a senior campaign manager at Greenpeace Africa.