Philippines: Ships collide in Manila Bay

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MV Palawan Pearl: The cargo ship lies on its side in Manila Bay

Photo: Aaron Favila / dpa

After a ship collision off the coast of the Philippines, the authorities fear a possible oil spill.

In the bay of the capital Manila, the cargo ship MV Palawan Pearl and the dredger sailing under the Cypriot flag BKM 104 collided on Thursday night (local time), the coast guard said.

There were no injuries.

The ships were therefore in the South China Sea only about a hundred meters from the coast.

According to a crew member, the Palawan Pearl had around 3000 liters of diesel oil, 60 liters of engine oil and five liters of bilge oil on board.

The BKM 104 was doing dredging in the area.

Oil stains discovered in the water

Oil barriers were erected around the half-sunken cargo ship lying on its side to prevent an environmental disaster, according to the coast guard.

However, oil stains have already been discovered in the water.

The dredger, on the other hand, suffered hardly any damage.

It had collided twice with the left side of the freighter for reasons that are still unknown.

The environmental protection group Kalikasan PNE called for an in-depth investigation into the accident "to determine the extent of the pollution and to remedy it."

Those at fault would have to pay for the cleaning up of the affected waters in Manila Bay and other necessary measures, it said.

wit / dpa