Chennai oil spill hits marine life

Several dead fish and sea turtles were washed ashore on Chennai’s coast, two days after a cargo tanker collision at the Kamarajar Port left an oil slick. Two cargo ships carrying petroleum products collided on Saturday morning with no major damage to the vessels.

The collision occurred about two nautical miles from the shore and resulted in an oil spill around the vessel on the port. No one was injured in the mishap. Despite assurances from the Kamarajar Port authorities that the spill will have no major impact on sea ecology,  fishermen at Ennore and surrounding areas of Eranavur beach, north of the city, claimed on Monday that the oil slick has touched the shores and hundreds of fish and sea turtles are getting washed up.

A senior Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board official told DH that a detailed probe has been launched to ascertain the damage to the environment.“A report has been sought within two days,” he said. Indian Coast Guard officials said a survey ship has been sent near the oil spill areas to help the authorities engaged in the cleaning process. “We have already done an aerial survey. It was reported that a thin oil slick was seen along the coast,” a Coast Guard officer said.