The Philippines is bracing for one of its worst oil spills in recent years.
Princess Empress who lost power and started spilling oil in the Philippines sea has been found.
One of the worst oil spills
Princess Empress was on a journey carrying 800,000 liters of fuel oil when it lost its power and sank off the island of Mindoro on February 28th. A samaritan vessel rescued 20 crew members of the vessel. However, the Princess Empress started spilling oil into the sea, and locating its vessel took a while.
With much effort, the Philippine Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) located the vessel wreck on 06th March. The remains of the tanker were found in about 1200 feet of water off the coast of Mindoro, northeast of Pola.
Marine lives at risk
The oil from the tanker washed up in the nearby villages. Marine biologists report around 36,000 hectares of coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grass are also at risk from the spill.
Since then, oil has started to wash up in nearby villages. Marine biologists warn around 36,000 hectares of coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grass are also at risk from the spill. The Philippine government also banned fishing in areas where oil spilled areas.
Officials were concerned at the growing extent of the spill, which has spread into a slick of about 500 yards. Over the weekend it reached the Caluya Islands, some 75 nm to the south of the wreck site. And is reaching Boracay, a popular island resort hub.
“The Department of Tourism notes with seriousness the oil spill incident and its grave impact on the tourism industry, including disruptions in the livelihood of the affected communities, tourism-dependent businesses, and recreational activities,” a government spokesperson said.
While the government has yet to calculate the long-term damages of the spill, dozens of marine designated marine sanctuaries are at risk of pollution.
