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 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. Photograph: Laura Morosoli/EPA
The Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind ...