26 May 2021 02:37 pm
Some people in Negombo were spotted carrying debris washed ashore on the beaches from the burning X Press Pearl ship in the outskirts of the Colombo port, despite a warning by the Marine Environment Protection Authority not to touch any of the washed ashore debris as it could be harmful.
The Daily Mirror photographer who was on coverage in the area, spotted several people on the beaches, carrying away the debris to their homes despite the police warning them not to do so.
A lot of debris was washed ashore on the Negombo beaches today as the vessel continued to be engulfed in flames since May 20.
The Sri Lanka Navy and Indian Navy are involved in joint operations to douse the flames and as the fire continues, the MEPA has warned this might turn into an environmental disaster.
State Minister of Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday said that an oil spill had been detected from the vessel and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed a team of experts to work to contain and clean the oil and debris from the X Press Pearl.
The container ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ registered under the flag of Singapore, was carrying 1,486 containers with 25 tons of Nitric Acid and several other chemicals and cosmetics from the port of Hazira, India on May 15, according to the Navy.
Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi