Volunteers have marshalled along the shores where dark pools of oil now coat the coral reefs, lagoons and white-sand beaches upon which Mauritius has built its reputation as a green tourism destination. Jugnauth asked France for urgent assistance to mitigate what Mauritian authorities are calling an unprecedented environmental disaster beyond the scope of the tiny Indian Ocean nation. The environment ministry announced this week that oil had begun seeping from the hull, confirming the worst. Some of the fuel was in separate tanks, and may not be at risk of leaking, he added. Twenty crew members were evacuated safely from the ship when it ran aground on July 25.

Source: Dhaka Tribune August 09, 2020 07:07 UTC