Mauritius oil spill: Where is the ship leaking oil as environmental emergency declared?

An oil tanker is leaking fuel after the ship ran aground off the Mauritius coastline, causing the local government to declare a ‘state of environmental emergency’.

The MV Wakashio was reportedly carrying roughly 4,000 tons of fuel when its hull was compromised after it became stranded on 25 July.

With Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth calling on France for help containing the spill, here’s what you need to know about the areas affected by it.

Where is the MV Wakashio leaking oil?

The ship has been leaking fuel onto a protected coral reef and in Mauritius’ famed blue lagoons.

The tanker, which was trying to get from China to Brazil, is currently stuck near the Pointe d’Esny and the Blue Bay Marine Park – over a mile off the Mauritius coastline in the Indian Ocean.

Greenpeace Africa’s climate and energy manager Happy Khambule also said that the Mahebourg lagoon is at risk from the spill, saying: ‘Thousands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius’ economy, food security and health.’

The island nation depends on the health of the lagoons to bring in both food and tourism, with Mr Jugnauth saying the spill ‘represents a danger’ to the island.

The ship’s crew was recused after it ran aground, and initially it was reported that the authorites had found no evidence of a spill.

However, by Thursday, the environment ministry announced the appearance of a leak, with Nagashiki Shipping, the company that owns the tanker, saying that ‘bad weather and constant pounding’ had damaged the ship.

A government statement said a police inquiry has been opened into issues such as possible negligence.

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