The blaze that erupted in Panama-registered oil tanker “MT New Diamond” has been brought under control, says Sri Lanka Navy.

Its spokesperson noted that steps are now being taken to tow the vessel to deeper seas.

Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard were engaged in a joint effort to control the fire raging in the oil tanker, which was caused by an explosion of a boiler in the main engine room.

The Navy said that the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Sarang’ had arrived for disaster relief mission, to the sea area where the ill-fated oil tanker is located. Further, a special tug called “TTT One”, furnished with dedicated firefighting equipment, professionals and is capable of undertaking firefighting operations at sea, reached the scene with another Indian Coast Guard Ship this evening.

Further, considering these turn of events as an urgent matter of national importance, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Hambantota International Port Group, Colombo Dockyard Limited, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation had provided AFFF fire extinguishing chemicals which were transferred by Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudraraksha’, ‘Samaraksha’ and the Sri Lanka Navy Ship ‘Samudura’ from the ports of the Hambantota, Colombo and Trincomalee respectively, to augment the dousing operation.

SLN ships and craft together with the MI 17 helicopter and beach craft of Sri Lanka Air Force, the two tugs ‘Rawana’ and ‘Wasamba’ of Hambantota International Port Group and ALP ‘Winger’ tug made ready by the foreign company that owns the ship in distress have continued their firefighting missions to get the tense situation under control.

At around 8.30 am on Thursday (03), the tanker MT New Diamond, carrying 270,000 metric tons of crude oil, had been sailing 38 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point east of Sri Lankan seas, when the unfortunate turn of events unfolded.

The Navy, responding immediately to a distress signal of an explosion of a boiler followed by fire erupted in the main engine room of “MT New Diamond”, a group of emergency relief serving ships, had promptly dispatched to the location for relief assistance.

According to the distress signal received by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center in Colombo, the oil tanker in eastern seas has been manned by 23 crew members including 05 Greek and 18 Philippine nationals and is registered under the Panamanian Flag (IMO-9191424). 

Thereby, 22 of the crew members aboard the oil tanker were rescued, however, the preliminary information from the ship’s crew confirmed that a Filipino seaman on board had died in a boiler explosion.

The tanker was transporting 270,000 metric tons of crude oil from the port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip when it faced with this unfortunate situation. It is also reported that 1700 metric tons of diesel required for the use of the tanker have been stored onboard.

The MEPA meanwhile warned that if crude oil starts to leak from the oil tanker, which is still on fire off the island, it could possibly lead to the largest environmental disaster in the world and not just in the region.

Earlier this morning, the Indian Coast Guard had reported several cracks in the hull of the oil tanker, which had been caused by the intense heat. The Navy pointed out that these cracks, however, do not mean the vessel is breaking apart.

The Navy further stressed that there is no danger from oil spills to Sri Lanka from the oil tanker.

In the meantime, the owners of “MT New Diamond” have handed over the vessel to an international salvage company. A team of the company is set to arrive in Sri Lanka on Monday (07), according to the MEPA.