The bulk carrier MV Wakashio stranded on a reef in Mauritius and which spilled 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil on the coast broke in two, its owner, Mitsui OSK Lines, announced on Sunday. " It was confirmed on August 15 that the ship had broken in two, " Mitsui OSK Lines said in a statement, adding that the information came from the owner, Nagashiki Shipping.
This breakage of the bulk carrier, which ran aground on July 25 on a reef at Pointe d'Esny, in the south-east of Mauritius, with 3,800 tonnes of fuel oil and 200 tonnes of diesel on board, seemed inevitable for several days.
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Between 800 and 1000 tonnes of fuel oil escaped from its gutted blanks and soiled the coasts, especially protected areas with mangrove forests and endangered species. Response teams raced against time to pump out the rest of the fuel, as the boat threatened to break at any moment. " It is estimated that an unrecovered quantity of fuel has escaped from the vessel, " Mitsui OSK Lines said on Sunday. According to authorities, around 90 tons of fuel remained on board when the boat broke in two.
The rescue team plans to tow the front two-thirds of the wreckage and sink them off to avoid further damage, a police source in Port Louis told AFP on condition of anonymity. The remaining part of the boat is still stuck in the reef, according to the same source.
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The Mauritian government has been accused of negligence, with the population of this tourist island wondering why so little had been done between the time the MV Wakashio ran aground and the appearance of the leak.
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth felt that no error had been made and refused to apologize. The government has also announced that it will seek compensation from the shipowner and insurer for the damage caused by the fuel oil and the cost of cleaning the coasts.
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Nagashiki Shipping, said he was “ deeply aware of (his) responsibilities ” and promised to respond “ sincerely ” to requests for compensation.
