Salvage experts attempting to tow the X-Press Pearl have said the rear of the stricken containship has started to sink off the coast of Sri Lanka, according to Al Jazeera.
The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl, was carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid, along with other chemicals and cosmetics that were loaded at the port of Hazira, India on 15 May.
The ship was anchored off the island’s west coast when a fire erupted on 20 May, when the ship was anchored about 9.5 nautical miles (18 km) northwest of Colombo and waiting to enter the port.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesman Captain Indika de Silva told Al Jazeera the rear part of the ship has sunk and they have stopped its towing.
“The ship is resting in the bottom of the seabed now. There is no more towing. We have stopped trying to tow it out of the Sri Lankan waters,” he said.
“Now our concern is about any oil spill. We are closely monitoring this and so far we have not detected any spill. It will be devastating if that happens, but we are taking all precautions.”
Related: Sri Lanka to sue Singapore-registered owners of “MV X-Press Pearl” for marine pollution
Related: Singapore-flagged “X-Press Pearl” hull remains fully intact, no bunker spill detected
Photo credit: Sri Lanka Air Force – SLAF Media
Published: 2 June, 2021
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