Burnt-out Container Ship Sinking Off Sri Lanka
Faizan Hashmi Published June 02, 2021 | 04:34 PM
A burnt-out container ship that has already caused Sri Lanka's worst maritime environmental disaster was sinking fast Wednesday with nearly 300 tonnes of oil still in its fuel tanks
Colombo, June 2 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2021 ) :A burnt-out container ship that has already caused Sri Lanka's worst maritime environmental disaster was sinking fast Wednesday with nearly 300 tonnes of oil still in its fuel tanks.
The MV X-Press Pearl, carrying hundreds of containers of chemicals and plastics, burned for 13 days just outside the Colombo harbour before rescue workers finally extinguished the blaze on Tuesday.
Dutch salvage firm SMIT attempted to pull the still-smoking wreckage of the 31,600-tonne vessel further into deeper waters on Wednesday but the effort stalled, navy spokesman Indika de Silva told AFP.
He said the stern had sunk to the bottom at a depth of 22 meters (72 feet), six nautical miles (11 kilometres) from the coast of Pamunugama, just north of Colombo.
"The bow is still afloat, but the stern is submerged and resting on the sea bed," de Silva said. "As a result, the towing of the ship has been stopped.
" A huge amount of plastic debris has already inundated beaches, and authorities now fear an even greater disaster should the 278 tonnes of bunker oil and 50 tonnes of gas in the Singapore-registered ship's fuel tanks leak into the Indian Ocean.
Some oil was already visible near the beaches of Negombo, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Colombo, an AFP photographer said, although it was not clear if it was from the stricken ship.
International shipping academic and lawyer Dan Gunasekera said there were no immediate signs of bunker oil leaking, but said divers may have to be used to pump it out safely.
Navy spokesman de Silva said an Indian coastguard vessel was in the area with specialised equipment to deal with any oil slick.
An official involved in the operation said some of the vast amount of water sprayed on the fire to put it out had made the vessel unstable.
"Much of that water has settled in the stern," the official told AFP.
Recent Stories
Pakistan takes on Ireland in inaugural T20I series on Friday
ICCI organize ceremony to express solidarity with Armed Forces of Pakistan
Religious affairs ministry awards top talent in Hifz-o-Qirat competition
Collaborating with Sindh Government, KMC extends operations to 50 towns": Mayor ..
Call for Tobacco Tax Increase to Safeguard Child Rights and Public Health
OIC resolutions on Kashmir collective voice of Islamic world, reinforcement of P ..
Spanish bank BBVA goes hostile in Sabadell takeover bid
Pakistan's total liquid foreign reserves surge over $ 14.45 billion
Boeing passenger plane exits runway in Senegal injuring 11
PML-N ulema wing stresses punishment to May-9 culprits
No reprieve for perpetrators of May 9 arson attacks: PM
Punjab governor terms May 9 dark chapter in country’s history
More Stories From World
-
Boeing passenger plane exits runway in Senegal injuring 11
2 hours ago -
Pakistan eyes green energy, technology cooperation with China in CPEC 2nd phase
2 hours ago -
Charities warns Italy's ban on NGO planes risks lives
2 hours ago -
Israel hits Rafah despite US warning on arms transfers
2 hours ago -
Boeing plane leaves runway in Senegal injuring 11
2 hours ago -
Israel says Biden threat to stop arms 'very disappointing'
2 hours ago
-
Marquez eyes French MotoGP victory but plays down title talk
4 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
4 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
5 hours ago -
Spanish court shelves Shakira tax fraud case
5 hours ago -
North Africa football fans use stadium freedoms to back Palestinians
6 hours ago -
Rafah struck after Biden warning on arms transfers
6 hours ago