PORT LOUIS, Mauritius: A ship that has leaked more than 1,000 tonnes of oil in pristine waters off the Mauritius coast has split into two, its Japanese operator said on Sunday. The bulk carrier MK Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef off the southeastern coast of Mauritius on July 25 and began oozing oil more than a week later, threatening a protected marine park boasting mangrove forests and endangered species. Mauritius declared an environmental emergency and salvage crews raced against the clock to pump the remaining 3,000 tonnes of oil off the ship. The split was caused by a crack in a cargo hold on its stern side, the ship’s operator Mitsui OSK said in a statement.

Source: Manila Times August 16, 2020 16:50 UTC