Mauritius Oil Spill... Japanese Ship Runs Aground While Trying to Connect to Wi-Fi?

Coral Reefs Centuries Old Face Death Threat
78 Fish Species at Risk

Divers are installing a temporary barrier to contain the spread of the oil slick at the grounding site of the Japan-flagged tanker 'MV Wakashio' off the coast near the island nation of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean on the 7th (local time). The Mauritius government declared an environmental emergency and requested cooperation from the French government on the same day. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] It has been suggested that the Japanese vessel causing massive damage due to an oil spill in the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius may have run aground after approaching the shore to access Wi-Fi.

Japan's private broadcasting network ANN reported on the 14th, citing local media, that the crew members stated during the authorities' investigation that they approached the shore to access Wi-Fi. It was also reported that there was a statement that the crew celebrated a crew member's birthday just before the grounding accident.

The oil and debris leaking from the vessel due to this accident have put coral that has lived for hundreds of years at risk of dying. Experts have analyzed that it may take decades to restore them. Thirty-eight species of coral and seventy-eight species of fish, including white clownfish swimming between seaweed and coral reefs covering the ocean sand, mangrove forests formed along the beach, and the pink pigeon, an endemic species of Mauritius, are all in danger.

Experts also believe that the national economy of Mauritius, centered on the tourism industry, will be impacted by this oil spill accident.