The inspection of the trawler stranded near the Mauritian capital Port-Louis, with 130 tons of fuel on board, will begin shortly in order to detect possible leaks.

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L'Express Maurice / AFP

On Sunday around 5:30 p.m., the Lurong Yuan Yu, a Chinese-flagged trawler, ran aground on a reef facing Pointe-aux-Sables (North-West), near Port-Louis, the Mauritian capital.

It contains no cargo but 130 tonnes of fuel oil and five tonnes of lubricants.

Its inspection should begin very soon in order to detect any leaks.

Barely seven months ago, Mauritius experienced one of the worst maritime pollution in its history with the grounding of the MV Wakashio near Port-Louis, the Mauritian capital.

The trawler had spilled 1,000 tons of fuel oil in its turquoise waters and angered the inhabitants.

Traces of oil around the trawler

"There are traces of oils around the Lurong Yuan Yu. Divers will soon inspect the vessel to see if there are any cracks," Fisheries Minister Sudheer Maudhoo said on Monday at a conference. press organized Monday noon.

He described the pumping of fuel oil as a "priority" and specified that 300 meters of floating tubes were deployed around the ship.

The latter also noted that coast guards and soldiers were mobilized Monday morning in Pointe-aux-Sables.

Residents said they saw traces of oil reaching the shore.

The minister did not give further details on the circumstances of the incident.

"The police are also on board to seize all the documents and an investigation has been opened," he added.

The Japanese bulk carrier still in the dismantling phase

The case of the Japanese bulk carrier MV Wakashio had aroused the ire of Mauritians, already fed up by the corruption and nepotism scandals that punctuate Mauritian politics, in particular in the context of the fight against Covid-19.

On August 29, a demonstration brought together between 50,000 and 75,000 people in Port Louis to denounce the management of the oil spill by the government of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

Such a gathering had not been seen since 1982.

Dismantling of the bulk carrier's stern is nearing completion - its bow and hull have been sunk offshore - and fuel cleaning operations have been completed.

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