THE SHIP which has been leaking oil off the coast of Mauritius for over a week has split in two, further endangering the local environment.
The MV Wakashio ran aground off the coast on 25 July and began leaking oil more than a week later, with stormy weather initially impeding attempts to pump the oil off the tanker.
Mauritius, known for its crystal waters, coral reefs and incredible wildlife-- including sea turtles-- declared an environmental emergency as more than 1,000 tonnes of oil spilled into the ocean from the wrecked ship.
An aerial view taken in Mauritius on August 17, 2020, shows the MV Wakashio bulk carrier, belonging to a Japanese company but Panamanian-flagged, that had run aground and broke into two parts near Blue Bay Marine Park. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)Mistui O.S.K Lines, the owners of the ship, yesterday confirmed in a statement hat the vessel had broken into two pieces, further endangering the environment as more than 90 tonnes of oil remains on board.
An estimated 3,000 tonnes of oil has been salvaged from the ship, and an 'oil net' has been placed around the broken vessel to prevent it from reaching the island's shores, but the spill is still the "worst ecological disaster" for the country, Greenpeace Africa spokesperson Happy Khambule has said.
An aerial view taken in Mauritius on August 17, 2020, shows the MV Wakashio bulk carrier, belonging to a Japanese company but Panamanian-flagged, that had run aground and broke into two parts near Blue Bay Marine Park. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)Salvage teams are now focusing on removing the ship entirely, according to police from Port Louis, however they face difficulty in removing one portion of the ship which is stuck on the coral reef.
The Japanese Government have promised to help with compensation claims following the massive damage to the Mauritus environment, and a team of environment experts will be dispatched from Japan to the island nation.
