After the sinking of a cargo ship carrying large amounts of fuel off the coast of Tunisia, rescuers attempt to recover the dangerous cargo. So far, no diesel has been leaked, Tunisian Transport Minister Rabie Majidi said on Sunday. Preparations are therefore made to extract the fuel.
It’s a complicated operation that doesn’t allow for mistakes and must be done quickly, Majidi said. He said an investigation has been launched to clarify the circumstances of the accident. The crew members have been detained for questioning.
750 tons of diesel on board
According to the government, the ship was en route from the Egyptian port of Damietta to Malta. It loaded about 750 tons of diesel. On Friday it came into distress due to bad weather and sank in the Gulf of Gabès about seven kilometers off the coast of Tunisia. The crew of seven was disembarked after water also entered the engine room.
The Tunisian Ministry of the Environment has announced that all measures will be taken to prevent an environmental disaster. Floating barriers must, among other things, prevent any leaking fuel from spreading in the water.
The island of Djerba, popular with holidaymakers, is also located in the Gulf of Gabès. The environmental organization WWF warned of a new ecological disaster in the region. The area has been exposed to chemical pollution for decades anyway. These come from factories located there.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
