COLOMBO. KAZINFORM Sri Lanka s Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said acid rains would possibly hit the island country as a result of the burning X-Press Pearl container ship off the Colombo port, local media reported here Friday.
The plastic-covered beach, normally a draw for tourists and known as a fishing centre, was declared off limits. The smoking container ship could be seen on the horizon.
Fears over pollution as ship burns off Sri Lanka coast
Locals warned to stay away from a beach as potentially dangerous substances wash ashore from a burning container vessel
Updated: May 28, 2021 08:59 AM GMT
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Earth movers remove debris washed ashore from the container ship X-Press Pearl, which has been burning for nine consecutive days in the sea off Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 28. (Photo: AFP)
Rights bodies have raised concerns about sea and air pollution after a ship carrying 1,486 chemical containers has been on fire off the Sri Lankan coast for nine days.
Several containers have washed ashore from the X-press Pearl, which is anchored about 9.5 nautical miles from the port of Colombo.
Oil and debris from a container ship on fire off the coast of Sri Lanka have coated beaches on its west coast. Images of the beach in Negombo, a popular tourist destination, have generated outrage in the country. The Singapore-registered X-Press Pearl was carrying chemicals and cosmetics, and has been on fire for eight days. .