Sea life around Mauritius dying as oil spill spreads
Mauritian volunteers fished dead eels from oily waters on Tuesday (August 11) as they tried to clean up damage to the Indian Ocean island's most pristine beaches after a Japanese bulk carrier leaked an estimated 1,000 tonnes of oil.
Dead eels were floated in the water and dead starfish washed in the sticky black liquid. Crabs and seabirds are also dying.
The MV Wakashio is still holding some 2,000 tonnes of oil and it is expected to eventually break up, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said late on Monday (August 10), warning that the country must brace for the worst.
Tourism is a key part of the Mauritius economy and the government, which has declared a state of emergency due to the spill, is working with former colonial ruler France to try to remove the oil.
