Mauritius Declares Emergency as Stranded Ship Spills Tons of Fuel

The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has declared a “state of environmental emergency.”

In this satellite image provided by 2020 Maxar Technologies on Aug. 7, 2020, an aerial view of the MV Wakashio, a bulk carrier ship that recently ran aground off the southeast coast of Mauritius. 2020 Maxar Technologies. via AP

JOHANNESBURG—The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius has declared a “state of environmental emergency” after a Japanese-owned ship that ran aground offshore days ago began spilling tons of fuel.

Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced the development late Friday as satellite images showed a dark slick spreading in the turquoise waters near environmental areas that the government called “very sensitive.”