Encirled area showing cracks in the hull of MV Tasman Spirit

New Delhi : A Greek oil tanker, MV Tasman Spirit, carrying 67,000 tonnes of crude oil, that had been grounded near the port of Karachi may soon break up causing an environmental catastrophe.

The tanker that got stuck up in the port’s channel last month, has developed major cracks and oil can be seen gushing out, threatening all marine life. Eyewitnesses say large populations of green turtles, sea-snakes, seagulls and fish are already lying dead on the beaches. Expressing concern at the situation,

Dr. Anand Ramanathan, Emergency Rescue Manager, Wildlife Trust of India, said “This huge oil spill that is waiting to happen will also cause major implications on the marine diversity of the Gulf of Kutch as it is not too far from Karachi. The coral reef eco-system could be severely impacted. The chances of birds getting oiled are also pretty high. It could also affect the resting grounds of migratory birds this winter as their prey base will be reduced”. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has expressed fear that while the marine life near the vessel has already been ruined, the oil that will leak after the vessel breaks up would badly damage the entire coastline

Encircled area showing oil spilling from the cracked hull of MV Tasman Spirit

The officials at the Karachi Port Trust had abandoned efforts to rescue the tanker earlier this week after it was seen breaking up at various points. They claimed that about 20,000 tonnes of crude oil had already been secured and the crew too had been evacuated. The risk of the remaining fuel leaking and causing heavy fire has made people living near the beach flee to safer places.

The tanker, chartered by Pakistan’s National Shipping Corporation, was carrying oil for a refinery in Korangi while it ran aground near the port on July 27, 2003 and started leaking oil soon after. Though some precautionary measures were taken to prevent the situation from worsening, the Pakistani navy is on a high alert to assist in all the relief and rescue work if the tanker explodes. Paramilitary troops too guard the beaches to keep the public away. It is reported that an aircraft, with chemicals to stem pollution, is being flown in from Singapore. A British ship, with fire-fighting equipment, too is expected to reach Karachi soon.

Pictures coutesy: Fakhar I Abbas