A Japanese bulk carrier that ran aground on a reef in Mauritius last month - threatening a marine ecological disaster around the Indian Ocean island - has broken apart, authorities have confirmed.
The condition of the MV Wakashio was worsening early on Saturday and it split by the afternoon, the Mauritius National Crisis Committee said.
It comes after the vessel struck a coral reef on July 25, spilling about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and endangering corals, fish and other marine life in what some scientists have called the country’s worst ecological disaster.
In a statement, the crisis committee said: “At around 4.30pm, a major detachment of the vessel’s forward section was observed.
"On the basis of the experts’ advice, the towing plan is being implemented.”
Removing the ship is likely to take months but former colonial power France has said it will assist with the cleanup.
Scientists say the full impact of the spill is still unfolding, but the damage could affect Mauritius and its tourism-dependent economy for decades.
Earlier in the week, the Mauritian Government said most of the oil from the vessel had been pumped out, although 166 tonnes of fuel remained on the ship on Thursday.
Authorities are working to remove it, however, the weather is expected to deteriorate over the next few days with waves of up to 4.5 metres (15 feet).
On Friday, some residual oil leaked into the ocean and booms were deployed to help with oil absorption around the vessel.
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Special attention was being given to sensitive sites such as the Blue Bay Marine Park, Ile aux Aigrettes and the Pointe D’Esny National Ramsar Site.
The MV Wakashio is owned by Japan’s Nagashiki Shipping and chartered by Mitsui OSK Lines.