An aerial view shows the oil spill from the sunken fuel tanker MT Princess Empress on the shores of Pola, in Oriental Mindoro province, Philippines on Mar 8, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)Hanoi (VNA) - Philippine authorities said on March 10 that they had sought help from Japan andthe US to contain and clean up an oil spill10 days aftera tanker sank.
The Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 litres ofindustrial fuel oil when it went down in rough seas off the central island ofMindoro.
The vessel is believed to be about 400m below the waves, butPhilippine authorities have said the country does not have the capability toreach the wreckage and remove the oil.
Japan has sent coast guard personnel to the Philippines to supportthe investigation into the spill and guide the ongoing oil removal and controlactivities.
Diesel fuel and thick oil from the tanker have contaminatedthe waters and beaches of nine residental areas along the coast of OrientalMindoro province, known for its rich marine life.
More than 2,500 hectares of coral reefs, mangroves andseaweed could be affected by the spill, according to the environment ministry. It is not known how much diesel and oil have leaked into thewater.
The Philippine Coast Guard said on March 10 that it hadfound oil as far away as Casian Island, off the north coast of the westernisland of Palawan. That is about 350km southwest of where the tanker sank.
Residents and coast guard personnel have been removingoil-coated seaweed and other debris from affected beaches.
Thousands of fishermen have been ordered to stay on shoreuntil they can fish safely, and swimming is also banned./.
