Mauritius oil spill ship breaks apart
A Japanese bulk carrier carrier that ran aground off the coast of Mauritius - causing what some scientists are calling the island's worst ecological disaster - has broken apart, authorities said on Saturday (August 15).
The MV Wakashio struck a coral reef in July and earlier this month spilled around 1,000 tonnes of oil into waters that are home to endangered corals, fish and other marine life.
The Mauritius National Crisis Committee said in a statement that at around 4:30pm a quote "major detachment of the vessel's forward section was observed" adding that a "towing plan" would be implemented.
Following a government request for assistance, India - which has close ties with Mauritius - dispatched over 30 tonnes of technical equipment and material to supplement the country's salvage operations, according to a government statement on Sunday (August 16).
A 10-member team of Indian coast guard personnel trained in oil spill containment measures has also been deployed to Mauritius..
Scientists say the full impact of the spill is still unfolding, but the damage could affect Mauritius and its tourism-dependent economy for decades and removing the ship is likely to take months.
