- One of the two injured crew members of the X-Press Pearl containership, which remains ablaze off Colombo port, Sri Lanka, has tested positive for COVID-19.
- The two crew members, who received leg injuries during their evacuation from the ship on the morning of Tuesday, May 25th, remain in hospital in stable condition.
- Efforts to extinguish the fire on board are ongoing with three firefighting tugs, helicopters and the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard on scene.
A recent Offshore Energy news by Jasmina Ovcina says that one crew member of X-Press Pearl tests positive for Covid as efforts to douse the fire start to bear fruit.
Crew tested positive to Covid-19
“One of the seafarers has since tested positive to Covid-19 and has been transferred to a special facility in a military hospital for further treatment, he remains asymptomatic. The other 23 crew members are in a Colombo quarantine facility and are in good health,” the company said in an update.
Meanwhile, efforts to extinguish the fire on board are ongoing with three firefighting tugs, helicopters and the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard on scene.
#FireFighting #MVX-PressPearl off #Colombo #ICG Ships continuously fighting intense fire amidst rough seas. #ICG Dornier aircraft carried reccee @IndiaCoastGuard remains committed to maintain safe & secure seas even in our neighborhood #WeProtect @DefenceMinIndia @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/qKoWtU8zLr
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) May 27, 2021
Also read Boxship Fire Rages for 6th Day Off Sri Lanka
Salvage experts from Europe
The ship operator said that firefighters and salvage experts were flown in from Europe working with local authorities to save the vessel and its cargo.
Nevertheless, the operation has been hampered by adverse weather due to the onset of southwest monsoons.
Based on the latest update from the Indian Coast Guard, the raging fire has been largely controlled.
Ship’s cargo poses environmental pollution
The ship’s cargo poses a major threat of an environmental pollution to the area, especially since concerns have been voiced about the potential risk of the ship breaking apart.
Namely, the feeder vessel, registered under the flag of Singapore, is carrying 1,486 containers with 25 tons of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals, and cosmetics.
What is more, there are 300,000 metric tons of fuel in the vessel’s tanks, which could spill into the sea if the ship splits in half or sinks.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Offshore Energy
