Colombo/New Delhi – A new fire has broken out on a supertanker carrying about 2 million barrels of oil in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Since the fire broke out, at least one has been confirmed to be dead, with another crew member injured as authorities attempt to control the fire, that broke out when a boiler in the main engine room exploded. All other 22 crew on board are reported to have been rescued from the ship, which was estimated to have been carrying 270,000 metric tonnes of crude oil.
The 20-year-old vessel had been bound from Ahmadi, Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip, according to Marine Traffic, which monitors global shipping.
CNN reported Sri Lankan Navy Captain Indika de Silva to have said that as of Friday morning local time, the fire was “still on” and that efforts are on to prevent the fire from spreading to the cargo oil. He also added that as there was no information regarding an oil spill at that time.
Photos and video showed thick black smoke pouring from one end of the Panamanian-flagged tanker, MT New Diamond, 38 nautical miles (70 kilometers) off Sangamankanda Point in southern Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard, all worked to put out the fire.
Sky News has since reported that the flames have died down and that the ship is now being towed away, to prevent any risk of oil spill.
Source: CNN, Sky News
