Oil tanker runs off Mauritius and dumps 4,000 tonnes of fuel into its turquoise sea – as luxury holiday island declares ‘state of environmental distress’
- About 4,000 tons of oil have been mined in the Indian Ocean off Mauritius
- Panama-registered MV Wakashio ran on a coral reef near Pointe d’Esny
- Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth declared the state of emergency for environment
- Nearly 400 sea urchins are positioned to support the distribution of the oil
Mauritius has declared a ‘state of environmental distress’ after nearly 4,000 tonnes of oil was pumped into the Indian Ocean when a ship ran aground.
A government statement said the Panama flag carrier was initially flown on July 25, but the National Coast Guard did not receive an emergency call.
Online ship trackers showed that the MV Wakashio was traveling from China to Brazil when it ran on a coral reef and its crew was evacuated.
Mauritius has declared a state of emergency after nearly 4,000 tonnes of oil were spilled in the Indian Ocean when the MV Wakashio ran aground
The bulk carrier ran aground on a coral reef on July 25 and the crew was evacuated, but the National Coast Guard was not contacted.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said the oil spill posed a danger and he had to ask France for assistance because the island nation of 1.3 million people does not have the expertise to repatriate stranded ships.
A salvage team was sent to work on the ship, but was evacuated from the area after cracks were found in the hull of the ship.
Despite being registered in Panama, the MV Wakashio is owned by a Japanese company.
The island nation, which relies on its waters for fishing and tourism, has deployed around 400 sea trees, physical barriers made of metal or plastic to slow the spread of the oil.
The ship is currently at Pointe d’Esny and a salvage team has been sent to work, but were evacuated when cracks were found on the hull of the ship.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has called on France for help, as the island nation does not have the skills or expertise to propel the ship back.
In a statement, Greenpeace Africa’s climate and energy manager Happy Khambule said: “Thousands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius’ economy. , food safety and health. ‘
Mauritius wrote a National Oil Contingency Plan almost a decade ago, but it has been poorly proven and provided only enough equipment for a spill of ‘less than 10 metric tons’.
The Ministry of Environment has blamed rough seas and bad weather for its failed attempts to stabilize the ship and prevent the spread of the oil.
The Mauritian government has said police are investigating the game.
Divers in oil-covered waters off the south-east coast of Mauritius are trying to contain the oil using a tree – a physical barrier or metal or plastic
About 400 sea trees have been placed around the MV Wakashio to prevent further oil spills
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