X-Press Pearl to be taken away into deep seas; SLAF drops Dry Powder to douse fire

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities have decided to further move the MV  X-Press Pear 50 nautical miles away from the Colombo Harbour into deep seas in order to prevent marine environment destruction.

Sri Lanka Air Force deployed Bell 212 to drop Dry Powder onto the vessel after an explosion was reported aboard it early Tuesday (25) morning.

03 Tugs from the SLPA were employed to reduce the heat in the surrounding area of containers.

‍Further, Sri Lanka Naval Ship Sindurala and a Fast Attack Craft were deployed to assist the ongoing firefighting efforts.

The vessel which is registered under the flag of Singapore has carried 1486 containers with 25 tons of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals, and cosmetics from the port of Hazira, India on 15th May 2021.

The ship faced this unfortunate occurrence while at anchorage about 9.5 nautical miles off Colombo harbour, having arrived at the location on 19th May before it entered into the harbour.

The distressed container ship has been manned by a crew of 25, who are Philippine, Chinese, Indian, and Russian nationals.