Ship bound for Brazil splits in two and spills nearly XNUMX tonnes of oil on a reef in Mauritius

Satellite images show an oil spill after the stranded MV Wakashio split in two in Mauritius.

The ship MV Wakashio, owned by Japanese and flying the flag of Panama, was sailing towards Brazil when, on July 25, it ran aground on a reef in Mauritius. The vessel broke in two on August 15, spilling between 800 and 1.000 tons of oil in an area considered an ecological gem. ANP received requests from twelve oil companies to postpone exploration of oil and gas blocks.

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The #OilSpill already qualifies as the "worst ecological disaster" for the Indian Ocean island nation, Greenpeace Africa campaigner Happy Khambule says, adding that it "puts unique species under immediate threats"

Via @AFP https://t.co/PdsNwJLvi9

— Trespco (@trespco) August 16, 2020

Volunteers and intervention teams started work to try to pump the rest of the fuel, in order to avoid even greater damage caused by the worst ecological disaster that occurred on these paradisiacal islands bathed by the Indian Ocean.

Four days ago, an estimated 200.000 gallons of more than 1 million gallons of toxic heavy oil had spilled into the coral lagoon, with 500.000 gallons still aboard the tanker at this stage.

An urgent international call for help has been called by the Government, local citizens in Mauritius and across the world for an international clean-up response.

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

“Based on expert advice, the tow plan is being implemented.” Removing the ship will likely take months, but former colonial power France has said it will help with the cleanup.

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

Earlier in the week, the Mauritian government said the ship's oil had been pumped out, although 166 tonnes of oil remained on the tanker as of last Thursday.

Authorities are working to remove it, however, the weather is expected to deteriorate in the coming days with waves of up to 4,5 meters.

Check out the full video below