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Marine life devastated by burning ship’s toxic debris
View(s):Authorities are still trying to determine the enormity of the environmental damage caused by the burning MV X-Press Pearl container vessel, with toxic debris from the ship washing up along an increasingly large stretch of coastline and leaving marine life devastated.
As of yesterday, debris from the vessel had washed up along the coastline from Marawila in Puttalam to Maggona in Kalutara. Accordingly, debris has now washed up on beaches across four districts in two provinces.
The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) noted that the coastline from Dikovita to Kochchikade had suffered severe environmental damage due to the disaster, while extensive cleanup operations were ongoing at 21 separate beaches.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa led a team of Government Ministers and officials yesterday to tour Wattala’s Uswetakeiyawa, which is among the areas hardest hit. He also directed officials to provide relief to thousands of fishermen who had lost their livelihoods due to restrictions on fishing in the aftermath of the disaster. Accordingly, the Rs 5000 allowance that is paid to those who have lost livelihoods owing to travel restrictions imposed to counter the COVID-19 pandemic will also be paid to these fishermen from Wednesday.
With an increasing number of dead marine life washing up along beaches in the affected region, fears are rising of an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. However, the authorities now say fears of an even worse disaster brought on by an oil spill from the stricken vessel have receded, at least for the moment.
The fire on large parts of the vessel had been brought under control by yesterday. An escalation of the fire on Friday night had those engaged in firefighting operations worried. This had been largely brought under control again by last afternoon, officials said.
The authorities are hopeful that much of the oil aboard the vessel had ignited and burned off, but are unsure how much of oil still remains. That could only be determined by an inspection team that will go aboard the vessel after the fire is doused and the vessel is stabilised.
Meanwhile, Harbour Police Dhief Inspector Kamal Senanayake said they were unable to record the statements of the 25-member crew of the vessel as they were in quarantine.
They are due to be questioned over claims that they knew about a nitric acid leak on the vessel but did not take steps to alert the Sri Lankan authorities until they arrived in Sri Lankan waters and anchored at the outer harbour of the Colombo Port.