MV X-PRESS PEARL: Distressed vessel tilted (Video)

The fire that broke out in the front area of the X-Press Pearl is now spreading to Quarterdeck or back area where the control room is stationed.

Due to bad weather, the ship is now tilted slightly to the right stated the Sri Lanka Navy.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has deployed multiple assets including ICG Vaibhav, ICG Dornier and Tug Water Lilly to douse the fire on MV X Press Pearl anchored off Colombo Port.

The Disaster Management Centre requested the public not to touch containers and debris from the distressed vessel that may reach the coastal area.

They added that if any debris or containers are observed to call on hotline 117 or to the nearest police station.

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 15 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 19 May before its entry into the harbour.

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

The fire was controlled, and cooling efforts were ongoing by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), when the fire was reignited from an explosion.

Two members of the crew had sustained injuries in the explosion, and the 25 members of the crew were safely brought ashore. They have been directed to quarantine centres.