Sri Lanka Navy Continues Fire Fighting Efforts Onboard Ship X-Press Pearl Vessel

The Sri Lanka Navy said it was continuing fire fighting efforts onboard the container ship X-Press Pearl, which has been burning for the eighth consecutive day in the waters off the Colombo Harbour.

 

Sri Lanka Navy Continues Fire Fighting Efforts Onboard Ship X-

 

Press Pearl Vessel(PIC Credit: Twitter/ @IndiainSL)

Colombo, May 28: The Sri Lanka Navy said it was continuing fire fighting efforts onboard the container ship X-Press Pearl, which has been burning for the eighth consecutive day in the waters off the Colombo Harbour.

Navy Spokesman Captain Indika De Silva told Xinhua news agency that teams continued to be on scene to douse the flames and the fire had been confined to the back of the vessel. 

However, he said efforts were being hampered by heavy winds and inclement weather conditions.

The assistance from India was in place on Tuesday, De Silva said. 

https://twitter.com/IndiaCoastGuard

There was a threat of the ship sinking on location, and all efforts were underway to prevent this, according to the spokesperson.

There was also no sign of oil spill as yet, the Navy said.

The ship had slightly tilted to its right as of Thursday afternoon.

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has warned of a major environmental disaster and was conducting investigations to assess the impact of the burning vessel.

The MEPA on Thursday said it had lodged a complaint to the Colombo Harbour Police to take legal action against the captain of the fire-engulfed ship and its parent company over the environmental damage it had caused.

Visuals released by local media showed that beaches extending from Colombo to Negombo on the west coast, had been polluted from debris from the burning ship and the police had warned people not to touch it as it may be harmful.

The X-Press Pearl is registered under the flag of Singapore and was carrying 1,486 containers with 25 tonnes of Nitric Acid and several other chemicals and cosmetics from the port of Hazira, India on May 15.

The vessel sent out a distress call while being close to the Colombo Port on May 20, and soon caught fire.

The Sri Lanka Navy said it had rescued 25 crew members from the cargo ship.

Two injured Indian nationals among the rescued had been hospitalised for treatment, and one of them had tested positive for COVID-19, according to the health officials.

The distressed container ship had crew members who are Philippine, Chinese, Indian and Russian nationals.

https://www.latestly.com


Related News

PATIENCE TESTED: 62 SHIPS AT ANCHOR IN SAN PEDRO BAY
PATIENCE TESTED: 62 SHIPS AT ANCHOR IN SAN PEDRO BAY

1997 Views

Container and street dwell times at Port of LA double pre-import surg

Solution: filter cargoes to import / expand vaccination / tech report / incentive program.

Cloud hangs over China's CULines as it axes final long-haul route
Cloud hangs over China's CULines as it axes final long-haul route

1238 Views

The future of China United Lines (CULines) is uncertain after its dreams of building a deepsea shipping portfolio have been shattered with the axing of its Asia-Mediterranean services.

MSC gets into another vessel-sharing deal with Zim
MSC gets into another vessel-sharing deal with Zim

699 Views

MSC has inked its second vessel-sharing agreement (VSA) with Zim in the space of a week, the Israeli carrier becoming a ship provider for the North Europe-Mediterranean Israel Express Service.


Comment
  • Your review
main.add_cart_success