Health problems have emerged in many people in the region where oil spilled from the tanker that sank last week off the coast of Oriental Mindoro province of the Philippines.
According to the news of the BBC, the sinking of the tanker “The MT Princess Empress”, which is reported to be carrying 800,000 liters of industrial fuel, off the coast of the Oriental Mindoro state last week, causing serious risks to the inhabitants and living life of the region.
Due to the seepage reaching the shores of nearby fishing villages, the beaches were covered with black sedimented oil.
Local media reports stated that residents of villages in the region applied to health institutions with complaints of cramps, vomiting and dizziness.
It was also reported that workers who were sent to the village of Pola to clean up the leak had health problems.
Marine biologists estimate that about 36,000 hectares of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass are also at risk from seepage.
Authorities have declared affected areas in the state “disaster zones”, imposing a ban on fishing until the spill is cleared.
However, the ban negatively affected the majority of the people of the region. Local authorities announced that more than 18,000 fishermen in 60 villages were unable to hunt due to the ban.
The Philippines Coast Guard has been trying to contain the spill since the tanker sank on February 28.
It is not yet known why the Philippine-flagged tanker belonging to “RDC Reield Marine Services Inc” sank. All 20 crew members were rescued before the ship sank.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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