Additional stocks of chemicals were sent Tuesday (September 8) from India to fight the fire that resumed off Sri Lanka on the New Diamond, an oil tanker loaded with 270,000 tonnes of crude oil, the Sri Lankan Navy said. -lankan.
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"As
a result of the relentless efforts of the (relief) mission partners, the flames have been reduced to some extent for the time being,
" she said in a statement.
The blaze, which started on Thursday, was announced as extinguished on Sunday but resumed on Monday due to strong winds.
This resumption of fire revives fears of a new oil spill in the Indian Ocean, after the one that hit Mauritius in August.
However, according to experts from the rescue teams there is no sign of an oil leak from the New Diamond, which is also carrying 1,700 tonnes of diesel for its machines.
An Indian coast guard plane was to bring stocks of chemical powder on Tuesday to be dispersed by helicopter on the tanker, the Sri Lankan navy said.
On Monday, six rescue experts and 11 disaster management professionals sent by the Greek owners of the boat arrived at the site where the tanker is located, about 55 kilometers from the coastal village of Sangamankanda Point, she said. added.
Registered in Panama, the New Diamond is owned by a company registered in Liberia, Porto Emporios Shipping Ing., But is managed by the Greek shipowner New Shippping Limited, according to the Sri Lankan Navy.
Nineteen ships from India and Sri Lanka take part in the fight
The temperatures remain too high at the stern of the tanker to allow them to get on board, said the Dutch company Smit Salvage, specializing in ship rescues and mandated by the owners.
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"
Once the situation is judged to be stabilized and safe, we can inspect the ship,
" its parent company, SMIT, told AFP in The Hague, according to which the possibility of towing to a more secure site and A transfer of the cargo is envisaged.
“
At present, there is no sign of a leak,
” said SMIT.
"
However, due to the unpredictable situation this may change and details including on the final destination and timing remain unknown
."
Nineteen ships from India and Sri Lanka are helping to fight the New Diamond fire.
The ship was coming from Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip when it made a distress call Thursday after an explosion in its engine room that killed one of the 23 crew members, a Filipino sailor.
The others were able to be evacuated.
Sri Lanka's Marine Environmental Protection Agency will take samples around the boat to detect any possible pollution, authorities said.
She threatened the owners of the tanker with legal action "
if the worst should happen
".
