Several freight containers onboard the distressed MV “X-PRESS PEARL” have fallen to the Sri Lankan waters, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said.
“According to the information that we received around 6:30 AM today (May 25), there are EIGHT (08) freight containers that had fallen into the sea waters. Except for one container, the rest had submerged,” Dharshani Lahandapura, the Chairperson of the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) told News 1st on Tuesday (May 25).
Thereby, the MEPA Chairperson STRONGLY ADVISED that people REFRAIN from visiting the nearby sea areas.
“Therefore, we advise the general public who are in the close vicinity NOT to visit the area. Also, if you see any kind of objects reaching the shores, DON’T go closer, DON’T open anything and DON’T touch anything, because we do NOT know what types of material and goods are inside the containers,” Dharshani Lahandapura stressed.
According to Lahandapura, given the ocean currents on Monday (May 24), the fire had further escalated.
“The distressed MV ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ is now in a critical situation, where the fire is increasing due to the strong winds and the calamity in the sea waters,” Dharshani Lahandapura, Chairperson of MEPA further noted.
The vessel which is registered under the flag of Singapore had carried 1486 containers with 25 tonnes of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals, and cosmetics; it had departed from the port of Hazira on India on 15th May 2021.
Via; News First.
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