1000 Litres of Fuel Spilled: Environmental Disaster Unfolds in Terre-Rouge

A staggering 1000 litres of fuel were spilled in Terre-Rouge on Monday 11 March, a catastrophe apparently triggered by a faulty pipeline. This shocking revelation was made by the Ministry of Environment.

Authorities point fingers at Washright Services Ltd. for the incident, which resulted in the oil seeping into the Terre-Rouge estuary and leaving traces along the river near Bruniquel Bridge.

The Ministry of Environment was alerted to the crisis, prompting the deployment of absorbent booms to contain the spread of the fuel.

Marine Biotechnology Product Ltd. has laid out nearly 9 meters of absorbent booms, while the police has set up 70 meters of floating barriers.

Polygreen Ltd. and Virgin Oil Ltd. were enlisted to assist, with Polygreen erecting 120 meters of floating barriers and 40 meters of absorbent booms.

Pumping operations commenced around 3:00 PM yesterday, as Washright Services Ltd. incurred a fixed penalty of Rs 25,000 and the Ministry of Environment conducted extensive sampling for analysis.

Further assessments will determine the full extent of the damage, including whether the oil spill has reached the sea, with results from the Ministry of Fisheries crucial in making this determination.

The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan has been activated, and authorities are monitoring the situation closely. An environmental police inquiry is also underway to hold those responsible accountable.

Source: Le Mauricien