A tanker with a Philippine flag carrying 1.4 million litres of industrial fuel oil sank off Manila on Thursday, causing authorities to rush to contain a spill.
Tragically, one crew member of the MT Terra Nova lost their life when the tanker capsized in Manila Bay, approximately seven kilometers off Limay municipality in Bataan province as it was en route to the city of Iloilo.
The vessel sunk amid heavy rains brought on by Typhoon Gaemi and the monsoon season in Manila and surrounding areas in recent days.
An oil spill spanning several kilometers has been observed, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard to prepare dispersants and floating barriers to contain the spill.
In an earlier briefing on Thursday, coast guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo emphasized the urgency in containing the spill to prevent further leakage of fuel.
He cautioned that if all the oil in the tanker were to leak, it would result in the largest spill in Philippine history.
“There is a significant risk of affecting Manila, even the shoreline, if the fuel leaks because it is within Manila Bay,” said Balilo.
Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista reported that 16 of the 17 crew members had been rescued from the sinking vessel.
A missing crew member’s body was discovered in the afternoon after a search through rough seas, according to the coast guard.
An investigation into the incident’s cause is ongoing, with Balilo stating that the vessel had not violated regulations concerning sailing in heavy weather.
The departure of the MT Terra Nova from Limay occurred before Public Storm Warning Signal was raised, therefore adhering to regulations.
Many fishermen and tour operators rely on these waters for their livelihood.
An image released by the coast guard showed the MT Terra Nova mostly submerged in rough seas.
The vessel has since sunk 34 meters underwater, which Balilo considered “shallow,” making it possible to siphon the oil quickly.
Admiral Ronnie Gavan of the coast guard set a goal to complete the siphoning within seven days.
– Investigation ordered –
An approximately 3.7 km long oil slick was being carried by a strong current in an easterly, northeasterly direction, as reported by the coast guard.
Marine environmental protection crews have been mobilized to help contain the oil slick, with collaboration from oil spill response organizations and companies like Petron.
Authorities have emphasized the urgency of containing the spill to protect the livelihoods of fishermen who heavily rely on these waters.
The Philippines faced a significant oil spill in February 2023 when a tanker carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil sank off Mindoro, causing devastation to the fishing and tourism industries along the coast.
In 2006, tens of thousands of gallons of oil spilled when a tanker sank off Guimaras, resulting in severe environmental damage.
pam/amj/fox
