UPDATE ON WAKASHIO VESSEL AS AT 4PM ON MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2020
 

<ol>
	<li>
		<p>The planned sinking of the stem (forward) section of the casualty has been completed and at around 3.30pm was no longer visible on the sea surface.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
	<li value="2">
		<p>There is no more diesel oil on the aft (back) section of the casualty. A considerable amount of pollutants and other floating items have been further removed and this exercise is ongoing.</p>
	</li>
	<li value="3">
		<p>The exercise for the removal of artisanal booms is gathering momentum with the deployment of 10 boats as well as the enlistment of the services of around 40 additional fishermen.</p>
	</li>
	<li value="4">
		<p>1000 meters of absorbent booms has been relocated to Mahebourg Waterfront. Skimming operations and shoreline cleaning are continuously been carried out.</p>
	</li>
	<li value="5">
		<p>The strategy for redeployment of booms is still under consideration with the consultation of local stakeholders and foreign experts.</p>
	</li>
	<li value="6">
		<p>The National Crisis Committee has taken note of the status of cleanup activities by two service providers namely Le Floch Dépollution and Polyeco which were progressing at a satisfactory pace. The Solid Waste Management Division is closely monitoring the operations on the ground whereby it was noted that the total amount of waste which have been carted away are as follows: -</p>
	</li>
</ol>

<ul>
	<li>
		<p>1,122 tons of liquid waste</p>
	</li>
	<li>
		<p>792 tons of contaminated solid waste</p>
	</li>
</ul>

<ol>
	<li value="7">
		<p>Daily monitoring of air quality is still being continued by the National Environmental Laboratory. Test results have not revealed any Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) or petroleum odour at five schools and three residential areas. However, mild petroleum odour has been observed at Mahebourg Waterfront.</p>
	</li>
	<li value="8">
		<p>The analysis of sea water for oil and grease contents on the shoreline at 27 sites has shown no abnormality except at two sites, namely, Grand River South East (pH content)&nbsp; and Grand Port (oil and grease content).</p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p style="margin-left:.05pt;"><strong>National Crisis Committee</strong></p>

<p><strong>Monday August 24, 2020</strong></p>