Authorities say the ship may split in two, fueling fears of an environmental disaster
Authorities in Mauritius fear a damaged Japanese cargo ship carrying 4,000 metric tons of oil and diesel could break and cause an environmental disaster in the waters around the Indian Ocean island nation.
The MV Wakashio, a bulk commodities vessel owned by Nagashiki Shipping Co. and operated by Mitsui OSK Lines, ran aground off the island on July 25, leaving a gaping crack along one side and triggering the leak of 1,000 metric tons of bunker fuel so far along a reef designated by a United Nations agency as a protected site.
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said cracks along the hull of the 984-foot-long vessel had grown and that “the risk of breaking in half still exists.”
By Costas Paris – The Wal Street Journal – ARIRANG NEWS
