Sri Lanka Navy imagery exhibits dense smoke billowing from shjip.
Sri Lanka TV information channels as we speak confirmed the almost new containership X-Press Pearl as nonetheless persevering with to burn, regardless of firefighting efforts that at the moment are of their eighth day. Pollution from the 2021-built, 2,700 TEU vessel is threatening to scrub ashore on vacationer seashores and the Sri Lanka Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) is warning that nitrogen oxide gasoline launched by the burning ship will combine with water particles within the higher environment to provide nitric acid, leading to acid rain.
Local media report that 9 Sri Lankan ships and three Indian vessels have been working with worldwide salvage specialists to extinguish the fireplace.
Sri Lanka navy chief Vice Adm. Nishantha Ulugetenne is quoted as saying that he hopes the fireplace could be put out “within a few days,” even with easing winds within the Indian Ocean making firefighting efforts simpler.
Questions are being requested about how a lot vessel proprietor X-Press Feeders knew, previous to the vessel’s arrival at an anchorage off Colombo, a couple of nitric acid leak believed to have been a think about inflicting the fireplace.
It has additionally emerged that one of many crew members evacuated from the ship has examined constructive for COVID-19.
In an announcement launched this morning, X-Press Feeders stated:
“X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship X-Press Pearl can confirm that firefighting operations to extinguish the blaze aboard the vessel have continued through today despite the ongoing adverse weather conditions.
“Firefighting tugs have constantly been spraying and misting the stricken vessel with support from the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard, who remain on scene. The ship remains at anchor off Colombo port.
“The crew member who was transferred to a special facility in a military hospital after testing positive for Covid-19 remains asymptomatic and is recovering from a leg injury sustained during his evacuation from the vessel. A second injured crew member continues to recover from his injuries in a local hospital. All other crew members who remain in a Colombo quarantine facility are in good health and are in contact with their families.
“Please note, reports that the vessel was denied entry into Hazira Port in India and Hamad Port in Qatar are incorrect. The ship underwent discharge and loading operations in both ports before continuing on its planned journey to Colombo. Applications had been made to both ports to offload a container that was leaking nitric acid, but the advice given was there were no specialist facilities or expertise immediately available to deal with the leaking acid.”
Local media report that Sri Lankan authorities have lodged a proper criticism with police forward of initiating authorized motion in opposition to the ship’s captain.
