A fire reignited today in the New Diamond oil tanker off Sri Lanka, after it was declared extinct the day before, announced the country’s navy.
The oil tanker, with a Panamanian flag and carrying 270,000 tons of crude oil, in addition to 1,700 tons of diesel, was going from Kuwait to the Indian port of Paradip when he launched a distress call on Thursday after an explosion in the machines that caused the death of one of its 23 crew members, a Filipino sailor.
The others were able to be evacuated while the fire raged on Thursday and Friday, prompting fears of a black tide, particularly in the Maldives.
This first fire was controlled and then declared “completely” extinguished by the head of the Sri Lankan Navy, Nishantha Ulugetenna.
“The fire, which had been extinguished, has rekindled due to extreme temperatures on board and sparks,” according to a statement issued today by the Sri Lankan Navy.
This Navy, Indian ships and private vessels are combining efforts to re-ignite the fire, which is being fanned by strong winds, which reach 70 kilometers per hour.
