The shipwreck, at the end of August, off Mauritius.

-

MAURITIUS POLICE PRESS OFFICE / AFP

The Japanese owner of the ship that caused an oil leak on the coast of Mauritius promised on Friday to pay the equivalent of about eight million euros in compensation to help clean up.

The Mitsui OSK Lines company said in a press release that it wanted to "participate to the tune of about one billion yen, over several years, in pollution control measures", which include projects to protect mangrove areas and corals as well as in place of a fund to restore the local environment.

The bulk carrier

MV Wakashio

struck a reef in Mauritius on July 25, and some of the 3,800 tonnes of fuel oil and 200 tonnes of diesel it was carrying subsequently spilled into the crystal clear waters of the island, which attracted many tourists before the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 1,000 tons of oil are said to have escaped from the ship, the rest having been able to be pumped inside the hull before they spill into the sea.

Part of the sunken wreck

The longer part of the wreckage, broken in half, was towed out to sea and sunk to great depth.

But the rest of the ship, the stern surmounted by the superstructure, remained beached at the site of the sinking.

Like the owner, the shipowner, Nagashiki Shipping, apologized.

She pledged last month to respond "sincerely" to requests for compensation, the Mauritian government having indicated its intention to seek compensation.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also said last week that Japan will continue to support clearance activities.

The investigation into the accident by the Mauritian authorities is still ongoing.

The Japanese news agency Kyodo said at the end of August that the members of the crew would have brought the ship closer to the coast to receive mobile network in order to phone their families.

Citing an anonymous judicial source, Kyodo had specified that a well-watered birthday party had been celebrated on board before the accident, but it was not certain that the sailors on watch at that time had participated.

Planet

Crude oil tanker still on fire off Sri Lanka

World

Oil spill in Mauritius: Part of the wreck of the boat sunk offshore

  • Planet