Reports from the coast guard have stated that some of the 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil from a sunken Philippine tanker are leaking into Manila Bay. As a precautionary measure, fishing in the area has been suspended.
The MT Terra Nova sank during severe weather conditions in Manila Bay early Thursday, resulting in the loss of one crew member. The oil spill, now estimated to be 12-14 kilometres across the bay, poses a serious threat to the livelihoods of fishermen and tourism operators.
Recent inspections by divers have revealed a minor leakage from the vessel’s valves, although it is currently not considered alarming. Efforts to siphon the oil from the tanker are scheduled to begin soon.
The coast guard has emphasized the potential environmental catastrophe if the entire cargo were to leak. While the leaking oil is believed to be diesel fuel used by the vessel, precautions such as deploying oil containment booms have been taken in case of a worst-case scenario.
The vessel sank not far from its origin in the port of Limay, as it attempted to return to port in unfavorable weather conditions caused by Typhoon Gaemi and the monsoon season.
Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the authorities have a brief window of calm to address the spill. The coast guard estimates that the extraction process will take at least seven days.
This incident adds to the Philippines’ history of struggling with major oil spills. Past incidents, such as the one off the central island of Mindoro last year, have had devastating effects on marine environments and local industries.
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