JAKARTA: Indonesia said Wednesday a cruise ship on a voyage organized by a British company had damaged about 18,900 square meters of coral reef, increasing the estimate of the devastation caused when the vessel ran aground. Numerous attempts to free it using a tug boat failed, causing further damage to the corals. An assessment led by a local university had estimated the damage from the March 4 accident at 13,500 square meters. But after a survey involving marine researchers, government and the insurers, authorities announced that 18,882 square meters (200,000 square feet) of corals had been affected. Noble Caledonia has apologized for the accident and said they are working to reach a settlement with the government.

Source: Manila Times March 22, 2017 08:37 UTC