‘X-PRESS PEARL’ fire continues; SLN & SLPA engaged in containment efforts

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) is working in full swing as of Saturday afternoon (May 22) to contain the fire onboard the MV ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ which confronted this unfortunate turn of the event while at anchorage off Colombo Port on 20th May. Currently, three Tugs from the SLPA are engaged in efforts to reduce the heat in the surrounding area of containers as flames are witnessed from time to time on top of the containers above the weather deck, Sri Lanka Navy said on Saturday (May 22). "Based on fluctuating environmental conditions and winds, the fire continues to blaze on and off; however, the situation is under control," Captain Indika de Silva, the Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson told News 1st. A special team comprising officials from Sri Lanka Navy, Ports Authority (SLPA), and Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) reached the location of the fire-hit container ship on 21st May 2021 and monitored the situation further. Further, Sri Lanka Naval Ship Sindurala and a Fast Attack Craft have been still deployed in the scene of action to assist the ongoing firefighting efforts. A Navy Tug is also ready for immediate deployment in the event of any emergency. According to Sri Lanka Navy, the container ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ is in anchorage about 9.5 nautical miles northwest of the Colombo Port. The vessel which had carried 1486 containers with 25 tonnes of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals, and cosmetics; had departed from the port of Hazira in India on 15th May 2021.