Mauritius oil spill disaster: Ship commences to break apart
A ship that has leaked more than 1,000 tonnes of oil in pristine waters off the Mauritius coast appeared to be breaking apart on Saturday.
The Japanese-owned MV Wakashio struck the reef on July 25 and began oozing oil one week later, threatening a protected marine park boasting mangrove forests and endangered species.
Mauritius declared an environmental emergency the other day, and salvage crews raced against the clock to pump the remaining 3,000 tonnes of oil off the ship.
As of Saturday about 90 tonnes of oil remained up to speed, much of it residue from the leakage.
Early Saturday morning, the salvage team warned that the ship's condition "was worsening and it could break at any time", an emergency committee formed in response to the spill, said.
"Indeed, on a single trip to around 4.30pm, a significant detachment of the vessel's forward section was observed," it added.
Images taken on Saturday showed the MK Wakashio near splitting completely in half, although two pieces were still partially attached.
Coast guard vessels were being positioned near the vessel and the deployment of booms to absorb oil was "strengthened" to get ready for the ship eventually breaking apart, the crisis committee statement said.
"Skimmers are on stand-by mode near to the vessel and can intervene as so when required," it said, adding that weather was expected to "worsen over the coming days with waves reaching a maximum height of 4.5 metres."
The Mauritian government has come under fire - including from opposition leaders - for doing too little in the week after the ship ran aground.
In a statement on Friday night, the federal government said it could seek compensation from "the dog owner and the insurer" of the ship for "all losses and damages" due to the spill aswell as for costs related to the clean-up.
Japanese firm Nagashiki, the dog owner, has pledged to "sincerely" respond to requests for compensation over harm to the marine environment.
France and Japan have responded to Mauritius' demand help with clean-up operations.
So far, a lot more than 800 tonnes of oil liquid waste and more than 300 tonnes of solid waste sludge and debris has been removed from the ocean.
A large number of Mauritians have volunteered day and night to completely clean the powder-blue waters that contain long been a popular among honeymooners and tourists.
The spill is both an ecological and financial disaster for Mauritius, which relies heavily on tourism. - AFP
