Burnt-out ship off the coast of Sri Lanka threatens to sink: ‘Chance of major environmental disaster’ | Abroad

The ship fire was extinguished after 13 days on Monday. The ship was carrying all kinds of chemicals and plastic. Much of it has ended up in the water and nearby beaches are full of microplastics. The MV X-Press Pearl was extinguished with the help of the Dutch SMIT Salvage.

Further out to sea

President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa wants the ship to be pulled further out to sea so that it does not cause pollution just off the coast and the port of Colombo. The country has already taken precautions to prevent nearby bays from being polluted by oil spills.

Sri Lanka has launched a criminal investigation into the fire. The three highest-ranking ship’s crew may not leave the country until the investigation is completed.

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