Video: MV X-Press Pearl Ship Begins To Sink As Sri Lanka Prepares For Possible Oil Spill And Other Hazardous Chemicals Along Its Coast

MV X-Press Pearl Was Loaded With Hazardous Chemicals And Plastics When It Caught Fire. They Couldn’t Contain The Flames And Now It’s Starting To Sink

The MV X-Press Pearl was devastated by an explosion and a major fire in recent weeks. It was approaching the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka when there was an explosion that caused a large fire. There was no way to contain the blaze, causing the container ship to begin sinking slowly. Since it was loaded with oil, plastic, and other hazardous chemicals, a spill on the coast is seen as quite likely.  

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This Thursday (03), a team of divers couldn’t inspect the hull of the ship due to unfavorable weather conditions. The country’s major concern is a possible oil spill and other hazardous chemicals along the coast. Due to this significant fear, Sri Lanka has requested international assistance to prevent this terrible scenario.

Watch BBC News Video Report On The Case

An official directly involved with the country’s efforts to prevent a disaster reported that the country has sought assistance from India to avoid an even greater problem. India had already been contacted by Sri Lankan authorities to help contain the fire. 

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Indika de Silva, spokesperson for the Sri Lankan Navy, said that there has not been an oil spill yet, but they are preparing to deal with the problem. As the possibility of an oil leak from the MV X-Press Pearl is high, products that disperse oil and barriers are ready to be deployed at any sign of a spill. 

X-Press Feeders, the company that owns the ship, emphasized that the vessel is slowly sinking amidst attempts to tow it: “It is already confirmed that the rear of the ship is resting on the seabed at a depth of about 21 meters, and the front is slowly sinking,” it stated. 

“One part of the ship has hit the seabed and this has caused a whole array of headaches for all the authorities who cannot move it and know that it is sinking. Therefore, it is almost inevitable and all they can do is prepare,” emphasized Minelle Fernandez from Al Jazeera. 

Environmental Damage Could Be Incalculable

The container ship is gigantic. It weighs 31,600 tons, measuring 186 meters long and 45 meters high. The ship contains about 350 tons of fuel. However, an oil spill is likely due to its heavy cargo of oil and other highly toxic lubricants that have caused an environmental disaster.