Emergency in Mauritius after a ship carrying 4,000 tons of fuel cracked

Port Louis, Ta. Saturday, August 8, 2020

A Japanese oil tanker has leaked off the coast of Mauritius, posing a serious threat. The Mauritius population of 1.3 million is at risk and the government has sought French help. The ship was loaded with 4,000 tons of fuel and cracked.

A Japanese-owned ship cracked as it approached Mauritius. Satellite images showed oil spilling off the coast of Mauritius. The government of Mauritius then declared an immediate environmental crisis.

The government has sought the help of France, fearing that the spread of the oil could pose a serious threat to Mauritius' 1.3 million population. Further details about the Japanese-owned ship have not yet been revealed. Japan has also not made any official clarification.

The government appealed to France for help as it was an island near Mauritius. France also showed readiness to help immediately. France said in an official statement that Mauritius is a strong ally of France. Mauritius is the largest investor in France. France will do everything in its power to prevent such a crisis.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the bottom of the ship was cracked. This oil poses a serious threat to tourism-dependent Mauritius. If all 4,000 tons of cargo were dumped off the coast of Mauritius, the environment and aquatic life would be severely damaged. The government has warned not to go to the beach.

The Prime Minister of Mauritius said that our country does not have the technology to transfer the oil from such a large ship to another ship immediately. This work will be possible only with the help of a big country. France has shown readiness to help as its reunion island is close to Mauritius.