Large quantities of chemicals such as nitric acid and gas transported
Experts say "Nearby seabed will be completely devastated"
Dead marine animal carcasses washing ashore as well
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Concerns have been raised that a massive environmental disaster could unfold as a 37,000-ton large container ship carrying oil, gas, and chemicals caught fire and began sinking off the coast of Sri Lanka. In fact, numerous marine animal carcasses have been spotted washing ashore nearby.
According to foreign media on the 3rd (local time), the fire on the Singapore-flagged MV X-Press Pearl was fully extinguished on the 1st, after 12 days, but the ship has started to sink, raising concerns that it could cause an even greater environmental disaster.
With oil leaking from the fuel tanks into the sea, there are fears that the nearby marine ecosystem could be devastated, and the possibility of various chemicals inside the ship flowing into the ocean has increased.
The vessel was carrying 278 tons of bunker oil, 50 tons of gas, 25 tons of nitric acid, and 1,486 containers including other chemicals.
Additionally, a large amount of debris such as plastic has already washed up on Sri Lankan beaches due to firefighting efforts, and an oil slick from the accident ship was found on a beach 40 km from Colombo.
Environmental expert Dr. Yanta Perera warned in an interview with BBC, "There are large quantities of hazardous materials inside the ship," adding, "If the ship sinks, the nearby seabed will be completely devastated."
Several tons of plastic pellets that were in the containers have spilled into the sea, causing fishing activities in the area to be suspended.
Joshua Anthony, head of the local fisheries cooperative, appealed, "We cannot go to the sea," and "We are no longer able to sustain our livelihoods."
Bloomberg reported that marine pollution is becoming a reality as the enormous amount of plastic fragments carried by the ship covers the coastline.
Darshani Rahandapura, director of the Marine Protection Agency, said, "The damage to the ecosystem is still being analyzed, but it is definitely the worst incident of my lifetime."
In fact, after the ship began sinking, numerous marine creatures such as fish, crabs, and sea turtles covered in plastic fragments were found dead along the nearby Sri Lankan coast.
Mudisa Katuwawala of the Sri Lankan marine protection group 'Pearl Protectors' described the sinking of the MV X-Press Pearl as "the worst-case scenario," warning, "If oil leaks, the pollution will be much worse."
Earlier, on the 20th of last month, the MV X-Press Pearl caught fire while waiting to enter the port 18 km northwest of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. The fire escalated uncontrollably as chemicals fueled the flames.
All 25 crew members escaped by helicopter and other means on the 25th of last month, and Sri Lankan authorities have ordered them not to leave the country.
Naval forces are conducting cleanup operations of plastic debris washed ashore on the coast of Sri Lanka. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]
Local police are investigating the captain, chief engineer, and other responsible parties, as there was a nitric acid leak starting on the 11th of last month, nine days before the fire, which the crew reportedly knew about.
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