Ship Leaking Tons of Oil Off Mauritius Has Split Apart

Ship Leaking Tons of Oil Off Mauritius Has Split Apart
The MV Wakashio, a bulk carrier ship that recently ran aground off the southeast coast of Mauritius, on Aug. 12, 2020. Kooghen Modeliar-Vyapooree-L'express Maurice/AP Photo
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JOHANNESBURG—The grounded Japanese ship that leaked tons of oil near protected areas off the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius has split apart, officials said Saturday, with remaining fuel spreading into the turquoise waters.

Photos posted on social media by the official cleanup effort with support of the environment ministry show the ship in two pieces, “and the tugboats are already at work.” Oil barriers were in place and a skimmer ship was nearby.