The latest major oil spill in Mauritius, caused by a tanker that ran aground offshore, could lead to an ecological catastrophe if the world doesn’t take action now. The 984-foot MV Wakashio, which ran aground on July 25, contained about 220.5 tons of diesel fuel and 4,189 tons of bunker fuel.
The oil has seeped into the sea off southeast Mauritius, polluting coral reefs, white sandy beaches and pristine lagoons that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from the world over, every year. Experts sounded alarms saying that the vessel is cracking up and could threaten an even greater ecological and economic disaster.
Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, said response crews had managed to stem the leak for now but were bracing for the worst. “The cracks have grown. The situation is even worse,” he told reporters on Sunday. “The risk of the boat breaking in half still exists.” The island’s environment minister, Kavy Ramano said the island is in an environmental crisis situation.
Damage has been done. Aerial images show the scale of the disaster, with vast stretches of crystal-clear seas around the marooned cargo ship stained a deep inky black. Thick muck has coated mangrove forests and unspoiled inlets up and down the coastline, exacting irreparable harm.
Reports highlight that the ship ran aground at Pointe d’Esny off the southeast of Mauritius, which is considered a ‘wetland of international importance’ by the Ramsar Convention. Moreover, Mauritius depends on its oceans for fish and tourism, plus, its a significant exporter of Tuna. Greenpeace Africa representative said thousands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution. It has dire consequences for Mauritius’s economy, food security and health.
According to The Guardian, Japan and France have come forward with a helping hand. Both nations said they would help with the operation, but campaigners say that is not enough and have called for a full-scale coordinated international response. Thousands of volunteers, many smeared from head to toe in black sludge, have ignored official instructions to stay away, said the report.
