Divers Find 'no Leaks' From Fuel-laden Ship Sunk Off Tunisia
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published April 18, 2022 | 01:00 AM
Gabes, Tunisia, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Apr, 2022 ) :Divers who inspected the hull of a tanker loaded with 750 tonnes of fuel that sank off southeast Tunisia detected no leaks on Sunday, officials said.
The Equatorial Guinea-flagged Xelo, which sank Saturday in the Gulf of Gabes, has settled on its side at a depth of almost 20 metres (65 feet), the environment ministry said.
"No leak has been detected," it said in a statement.
The inspection was carried out by divers accompanied by the ship's captain and engineer, said Mohamed Karray, spokesman for a court in Gabes city that is investigating the sinking.
The Xelo was travelling from Egypt to Malta when it went down.
With the scene sealed off by Tunisia's military, the defence ministry released pictures showing the vessel submerged on its side.
The crew of the Xelo had issued a distress call on Friday evening and sought shelter in Tunisian waters from bad weather before going down.
Tunisian authorities rescued the seven-member crew, who received first aid and were moved to a hotel.
Transport Minister Rabie Majidi said Sunday that rescue workers had checked during the operation that the valves were closed, and the team of divers ensured they were sealed and intact.
"The situation is not dangerous, the outlook is positive, the ship is stable because luckily it ran aground on sand," he told reporters.
The minister said the priority was to pump the diesel fuel and prevent any spillage or pollution.
An Italian ship specialised in cleaning up marine pollution will be sent alongside a team of divers to aid with efforts, an Italian official said.
As a precaution, protective booms have already been placed around the wreck.
Environment Minister Leila Chikhaoui has also been at the scene in the port of Gabes to follow up on the incident.
Tunisian officials are investigating the itinerary of the tanker, which reportedly has Turkish and Libyan owners.
The Tunisia branch of the World Wildlife Fund has expressed concern about another "environmental catastrophe" in the region, an important fishing zone.
The tanker is 58 metres (63 yards) long and nine metres wide, according to ship monitoring website vesseltracker.com.
It began taking on water around seven kilometres (four miles) offshore in the Gulf of Gabes and the engine room was engulfed, according to the environment ministry.
Recent Stories
ATC confirms bail of Zartaj Gul, 24 others in May 9 cases
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 15 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 15 May 2024
German Consul General Dr. Rudiger Luts visits UoB
IHC issues notices to respondents in campaign against judges cases
Amazonian chief at UN to combat traditional knowledge piracy
Farewell ceremony for outgoing SP Saddar
2 officials of SFA arrested for extorting bribe
NCHR creates awareness of Human Rights through movies, short documentaries
Azma says no justification for demand to shift PTI chairman, wife to KP
Food Department rebuttal news of procuring wheat from blue-eyed middlemen
Nearly 450,000 Gazans now uprooted from Rafah amid relentless Israeli bombardmen ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Japanese singer performed Pakistani, Japanese, English songs at NAPA
3 days ago -
Conducive environment for investors to stimulate sustainable growth
3 days ago -
Initiatives urged to facilitate people in getting access to quality healthcare services
3 days ago -
Hunza-The sleeping beauty
3 days ago -
Collective efforts vital to eradicate drugs addiction
5 days ago -
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
10 days ago
-
Land degradation: A threat to food security
10 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
10 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
11 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
12 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
14 days ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
14 days ago