AMN/ WEB DESK
A team of experts are joining efforts to salvage a large oil tanker that has been burning for the fourth day off Sri Lanka. Four tug boats, three Sri Lankan navy ships and six Indian ships have been battling the fire on the MT New Diamond since Thursday. Sri Lankan navy spokesperson said the fire on the ship has been brought under control but is still not extinguished.
With engines shut down, the tanker carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil drifted about 20 nautical miles, that is, 37 kilometers from Sri Lanka’s eastern coast on Friday before a tug boat towed it farther out to sea. It’s now located about 40 nautical miles or 74 kilometers off the coast. The fire has killed one crew member and injured another.
Sri Lankan officials have warned of possible massive environmental damage to Sri Lanka if the ship leaks or explodes.