At least 18 dead dolphins have washed up on the coast of the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, where a Japanese ship, the bulk carrier MV Wakashio, has spilled more than 1,000 tons of fuel after running aground on a coral reef last month.
Other dolphins have stranded on shore and appear seriously ill, environmental groups have said.
The ship has leaked fuel into the waters of the Mahebourg Lagoon, which includes a protected wetlands area, mangroves and a small island that was a bird and wildlife sanctuary.
The spilled oil has also reached the soft soil of mangrove forests along the coastline.
Experts said they found no major damage, nor any sign of oil on the ocean bottom or on the coral reef, but that the remaining wreck appeared to be grinding against the reef as waves push it back and forth.
"If this situation continues, it could cause stress to the corals and could kill them," said Noriaki Sakaguchi, an ecosystems expert with Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Greenpeace has called for an investigation.
Latest Stories
-
NIC and partners commit to improve insurance coverage through inclusive insurance
3 mins -
Thieves ransack Obuasi Hospital Medical Superintendent’s residence
14 mins -
Kenya: Safari Rally to be Extended to Five Days
20 mins -
Rebel Wilson lost her virginity at 35; hopes to spread a ‘positive message’ by sharing her story
37 mins -
I applied for speedy hearing of injunction application by Dafeamekpor – Attorney General clarifies
53 mins -
Sarkodie, Keche, Yvonne Nelson, other celebs angered by Tema General Hospital power outage
1 hour -
Kenya – Strengthening Healthcare: World Health Organization (WHO) Donates 940 Tablets for Health Emergency Response
1 hour -
BoG appoints Dr. Joseph France as advisor for management of UMB
1 hour -
WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations to be staged in Accra in May
1 hour -
Mother, who alleges that her baby died due to ‘dumsor’ shares her story
1 hour -
Academic City’s Business and Communication Dean launches new book
1 hour -
FIFA development delegation in Ghana to review GFA projects
2 hours -
United States (U.S.) Senators Oversee United States Government (USG) Health Assistance To Angola At The Instituto Técnico De Saúde De Luanda
2 hours -
Must teachers always strike before concerns are addressed? – Peter Anti quizzes
2 hours -
John Kumah’s wife inconsolable at his one week observance [Video]
2 hours