Ship carrying 47 barrels of diesel sinks near ecologically fragile Galapagos Islands

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Pelumi Emmanuel

Published: April 24, 2022 | 2:37 PM GMT

A ship carrying 47 diesel barrels sank off the coast of one of Ecuador’s ecologically sensitive Galapagos Islands on Saturday.

The ship, called Albatroz, went down near the island of Santa Cruz, according to the state-run oil company Petroecuador.

The company said a contingency plan had been activated, with containment booms set up around the site of the sinking.

On board the scuba diving vessel were 47 barrels of diesel fuel that left a ‘superficial’ slick, according to the Ecuadorian Environment Ministry.

All four of the crew members escaped the wreckage safely, Petroecuador added.

On Twitter, the Galapagos National Park’s official account said a dispersing agent had been used to ‘limit possible negative impacts on the environment’.

According to the tweet, attempts were being made to drag Albatroz back up to the surface.

The UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, renowned for its giant tortoises, is remarkable for being the only place on Earth that thousands of species call home.

We are taking you to the next article automatically...You can cancel it below or click Load Now to read it now!

About Pelumi Emmanuel

Pelumi Emmanuel is an accomplished writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is a passionate and dedicated professional who is committed to producing high-quality content that informs, engages, and entertains readers. Pelumi’s love for reading and writing is evident in his work, which has been read worldwide and has garnered him a loyal following. His journalistic expertise is matched only by his natural talent for storytelling, making his articles both informative and engaging. He lives in California, USA.