An environmental emergency was announced in Mauritius on Friday, 7 August, owing to an oil spill in the Indian Ocean, said international media reports.
According to DW, MV Wakashio, a ship owned by Japanese companies Okiyo Maritime Corporation and Nagashiki Shipping Co Ltd, carrying nearly 4,000 tons of fuel was en route to Brazil from Singapore. On 25 July, however, it reportedly “ran aground”, cracks appeared on the hull and the ship began to leak fuel.
Appeal to France
Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius has said that they have appealed to France for help, reported DW.
“Our country doesn’t have the skills and expertise to refloat stranded ships, so I have appealed for help from France and President Emmanuel Macron.”Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius
DW also reported that around 400 sea booms have been deployed to control the spill. The Mauritius government has said that the police is also probing the cause of the incident, and looking into the possibility of negligence.
Greenpeace Africa’s Statement
Happy Khambule, climate and energy manager for Greenpeace Africa reportedly said that thousands of species “around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d'Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius' economy, food security and health”.
Cause Being Probed: Shipping Company
Nagashiki Shipping Company is reportedly probing the cause of the accident.
According to DW, Yoshinori Fukshima, a representative for the company reportedly informed that the company has put up a fence and started recovering the oil.
(With inputs from DW).
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