[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Tens of thousands of gallons of oil have been reported to be seeping from a sunken tanker off the coast of the Philippines, coating pristine beaches and prime diving spots in an island province, making hundreds of locals ill, endangering the country’s tourism industry, and endangering its abundant marine life.
A state of calamity was declared for nine towns, swimming and fishing were prohibited, and the MT Princess Empress sank on February 28 off the coast of Oriental Mindoro, southwest of Manila, spilling its cargo of industrial fuel oil into the surrounding waters. This was one of the worst disasters to ever affect the area.
Jennifer Cruz, mayor of the seaside village of Pola, which has been severely impacted by the spill, stated on Thursday that more than 50 residents had been affected.
“In the span of nine days, it’s getting worse. The stench from the oil is getting stronger as the weather is also getting hotter,” Cruz told sources. “More people are also getting sick. I also was not able to visit one of the affected areas because I started feeling unwell due to the smell.”
Black oil pools can be seen floating in the lake and washing up on the shore in Pola pictures, with palm trees providing a lovely backdrop. Reaction personnel are seen manually picking up fuel-stained debris.
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