Towards an oil spill off Mauritius? The Mauritian authorities announced, Thursday, August 6, that oil was flowing from a bulk carrier stranded on a reef since the end of July on the south-eastern coast of the island, raising fears of this scenario.

The Mauritian Ministry of the Environment said in a statement that it was informed on Thursday of the existence of a "crack in the vessel MV Wakashio" and of an "oil leak". He asked the public not to venture onto the beaches and the surrounding lagoons.

A black flow escaping from the bulk carrier stranded on a reef since July 25 could be seen Thursday, after it had started to sag astern and take on water.

The boat, owned by a Japanese shipowner but flying the Panamanian flag, was traveling empty but was carrying 200 tons of diesel and 3,800 tons of heavy oil, according to the local press. Its crew was evacuated.

Attempts to stabilize the ship failed

It was stranded on Esny Point, a Ramsar classified wetland, like the nearby Blue Bay Marine Park and also threatened. These two sites were protected by anti-pollution systems, the ministry said. "We are in a situation of environmental crisis", admitted at a press conference the Mauritian Minister of the Environment, Kavy Ramano.

"This is the first time that we have faced such a disaster and we are not sufficiently equipped to deal with this problem," added Fisheries Minister Sudheer Maudhoo.

The Mauritian government has therefore turned to the French authorities on neighboring Reunion Island for help, he said.

According to the two ministers, all attempts to stabilize the ship have failed due to poor conditions at sea. Efforts to pump the oil have also so far proved unsuccessful.

Environmentalists fear that the boat will eventually break, which could lead to an even larger oil spill and colossal damage at sea and on the coast.

Very popular for its lagoons and paradisiacal beaches, Mauritius is a hotbed of international tourism.

With AFP

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