A Philippine tanker, the MT Terra Nova, carrying a large amount of industrial fuel oil, has capsized and sunk in Manila Bay, prompting concerns of an environmental disaster.
Following the incident, a significant amount of oil has leaked into the bay, causing the oil slick to expand rapidly, now covering a vast area that poses a threat to the livelihoods of fishermen and tourism operators.
The vessel sank during severe weather conditions brought by Typhoon Gaemi, resulting in one casualty and the potential for a major oil spill disaster in the region.
Despite initial inspections revealing a minimal leak from the vessel’s valves, authorities are preparing for the worst-case scenario and are working to siphon the oil from the tanker to prevent further environmental damage.
The coastguard has deployed oil containment booms and vessels to contain the spill and minimize its impact on the marine environment and coastal communities.
‘Ticking time bomb’
Green Peace Philippines has urged the government to take immediate action to recover the sunken tanker and its contents to prevent further harm to the marine ecosystem and coastal areas, referring to the situation as a “ticking time bomb.”
Link from www.aljazeera.com