Ship aground off Mauritius commences leaking oil
The island nation of Mauritius has declared circumstances of emergency after a vessel offshore commenced leaking oil into the ocean.
MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island on 25 July and its own crew was evacuated.
However the large bulk carrier has since begun leaking a great deal of fuel in to the surrounding waters.
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced a "state of environmental emergency" on Friday.
He also appealed to France and its own President, Emmanuel Macron, saying that Mauritius "doesn't have the abilities and expertise to refloat stranded ships".
The French island of Reunion lies near Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius houses world-renowned coral reefs, and tourism is an essential area of the nation's economy.
Happy Khambule of Greenpeace Africa said that "thousands" of animal species "are in risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius' economy, food security and health."
The ship - owned by a Japanese company but registered in Panama - was empty when it ran aground, but had some 4,000 tonnes of fuel aboard.
MV Wakashio is currently lying at Pointe d'Esny, within an area of wetlands near a marine park.
The surroundings ministry reportedly said attempts to stabilise the vessel and to generate the oil failed due to rough seas.
"This is the first-time that we are confronted with a catastrophe of the kind, and we are insufficiently equipped to handle this problem," Fishing Minister Sudheer Maudhoo said.
Police have opened an inquiry in to the spill.
