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Philippines Races to Contain 1.4 Million Liter Oil Spill from MT Terranova

Jul 26, 2024, 06:49 PM

A major oil spill has been detected off the coast of the Philippines after the oil tanker MT Terranova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil, capsized and sank near Limay, Bataan on July 25. The Philippine Coast Guard is racing against time to siphon off the oil to prevent what could be the worst ecological disaster in the country's history, especially as Typhoon Gaemi wreaks havoc in Asia. Divers from Harbor Star Shipping Services have confirmed leaks from the tanker’s valves, although the situation remains manageable as the tanker itself is still intact. The government and the shipowner are under pressure to control the spread of the spill to protect the environment and coastal communities. Barriers have been deployed to contain the spill, and siphoning operations are expected to be completed within seven days. Plans are being made to prevent the spill from reaching Manila.