Ship Heading To Brazil Splits In Two, Spilling Nearly One Thousand Tons Of Oil Off The Coast Of Mauritius

Satellite Images Show Oil Spill After MV Wakashio Shipwreck Breaks Apart in Mauritius.

The ship MV Wakashio, Japanese-owned and flying the Panama flag, was sailing towards Brazil when it ran aground on a reef in Mauritius on July 25. The ship broke apart on August 15, resulting in a leak of between 800 and 1,000 tons of oil in an area considered an ecological jewel. ANP received requests from twelve oil companies to postpone the exploration of oil and gas blocks.

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Volunteers and intervention teams have begun efforts to pump the remaining fuel in order to prevent even greater damage caused by the worst ecological disaster to occur in these paradise islands washed by the Indian Ocean.

Four days ago, it was estimated that 200,000 gallons of the more than 1 million gallons of toxic heavy oil had spilled into the coral lagoon, with 500,000 gallons still aboard the tanker at that stage.

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An urgent international call for help was initiated by the Government, local citizens in Mauritius, and worldwide for an international cleanup response.

This is the worst oil spill in Mauritius’ history and one of the worst ecological disasters ever faced in the Indian Ocean.

“Based on expert advice, the towing plan is being implemented.” The removal of the ship will likely take months, but the former colonial power France has stated that it will assist with the cleanup.

Scientists say the total impact of the spill is still unfolding, but the damage could affect Mauritius and its tourism-dependent economy for decades.

Earlier this week, the Mauritian government stated that the oil from the ship had been pumped out, although 166 tons of oil remained on the tanker until last Thursday.

The authorities are working to remove it; however, the weather is expected to deteriorate in the coming days with waves reaching up to 4.5 meters.

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