Mauritius Declares Environmental Emergency Over Oil Spill In Indian Ocean

A wrecked ship near Mauritius is spilling tonnes of oil in the Indian Ocean. More than 1,000 tonnes of oil has already seeped into the sea polluting the coral reefs, white-sand beaches and pristine lagoons. Still there is 2,500 tonnes of oil onboard the ship which is cracking up, threatening an even greater ecological and economic disaster. The Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth has declared a state of environmental emergency on August 7.

Mauritius Oil Spill
Mauritius Declares Environmental Emergency Over Oil Spill In Indian Ocean

In late July, the oil tanker MV Wakashio ran over-ground at Pointe d’Esny, on the eastern shores of the island close to the Blue Bay Marine Park reserve and several tourist beaches.

Oil is washed up on a beach on the south-east coast of Mauritius
 Oil is washed up on a beach on the south-east coast of Mauritius. Photograph: Laura Morosoli/EPA

The Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth has declared a state of environmental emergency on August 7.

Leaked oil from the wrecked ship near Mauritius
Leaked oil from the wrecked ship near Mauritius on August 8. AFP via Getty Images

“The cracks have grown. The situation is even worse. The risk of the boat breaking in half still exists,” Pravind Jugnauth, the Prime Minister of Mauritius told reporters.

Mauritius oil spill near bay of Grand Port
Mauritius oil spill near bay of Grand Port on August 8. AFP via Getty Images

More than 1,000 tonnes of oil has already seeped into the sea polluting the coral reefs, white-sand beaches and pristine lagoons.

Wrecked ship spill oil near Mauritius in Indian Ocean
Wrecked ship spill oil near Mauritius in Indian Ocean

Still there is 2,500 tonnes of oil onboard the ship which is cracking up, threatening an even greater ecological and economic disaster.

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Man scoops leaked oil near Mauritius
A man scoops leaked oil from the water, on August 8.Jean Aurelio Prudence/L’Express Maurice/AFP via Getty Images
Satellite image of oil spill near Mauritius
Satellite image of oil spill near Mauritius on August 7. Maxar Technologies via AP
Volunteers cleaning up oil spill at beached near Mauritius
Volunteers cleaning up oil spill at beached near Mauritius on August 9. Laura Morosoli/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

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