Fire reignites aboard the MT New Diamond; collaborative efforts made to contain the fire

by Zulfick Farzan 07-09-2020 | 6:27 PM

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy said on Monday (07) evening, the fire aboard the MT New Diamond Crude Oil Tanker which was already doused has reignited from the effects of extreme temperature and sparks on board.

Sri Lanka Navy said this was due to high winds triggered by prevailing adverse weather conditions in the sea area where the distressed vessel has been positioned at.

Ships, Aircraft, and tugboats belonging to the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast, as well as other stakeholders, are working in collaboration to contain the flames.

Sri Lanka Navy said Disaster Management Teams were able to douse the fire on board the MT New Diamond Crude Oil Tanker by 03:00 PM on Sunday (06) and have been working in full swing to continue disaster management operations to prevent a recurrence of fire using fire smothering agents like water and chemicals.

A spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Navy Captain Indika De Silva said the vessels and craft dispatched for disaster management efforts continue to engage in boundary cooling on the fire engulfed oil tanker as well in efforts to douse the fire.