Oil has been observed leaking from a product tanker feared to be breaking up after grounding on Reunion Island.
A statement from the French Indian Ocean island’s government said a flyover by a helicopter on Sunday had revealed fuel spilling from a hull breach in the 2,900-dwt Tresta Star (built 2019).
The Indian-owned tanker grounded on a rocky beach on 3 February after losing power during Cyclone Batsirai.
More stormy weather has since worsened its condition.
Pollution now extends over an area 50 metres wide and 2.5 km long off Tremblet, the government said.
The slick is described as “brown-coloured water, symptomatic of an oily substance emulsified with seawater,” the statement added.
“Following the degraded weather conditions in the area, the vessel has been significantly damaged since the observations made,” the government said.
A breach located on the port side of the ship is exposed to sea swell and has widened considerably.
Parts of the hull have also been torn off.
This has revealed a “gaping hole” of several metres in length.
‘Imminent dislocation’
“We now fear an imminent dislocation of the Tresta Star, with pieces of the ship which will detach to sink on the spot or come to ground on the coast,” the government said.
“New discharges of oily water will continue in the next three days,” the statement added.
A pollution plan will be implemented as soon as weather conditions permit after cyclone Emnati fades.
A crew of 11 was rescued after the grounding.
The tanker had been involved in the operation to salvage Mitsui OSK Lines’ bulker Wakashio (built 2007) when it grounded off Mauritius in 2020.
The Tresta Star was one of two tankers that took fuel off the stricken ship.
The tanker is operated by Amba Shipping & Logistics of India.
