An oil tanker carrying industrial fuel oil sank in Manila Bay after encountering huge waves, prompting concerns of a potential major oil spill. The vessel, named Terra Nova, was en route to the central province of Iloilo when it began taking on water and eventually sank. The coast guard rescued 16 out of 17 crew members in a nighttime operation.
The sinking occurred amidst days of monsoon rains and a passing offshore typhoon, causing widespread devastation across the Philippines. An aerial survey identified an oil spill near the sunken tanker, raising fears of environmental damage.
The coast guard is currently assessing the situation and preparing to contain any potential oil spill that could impact Manila Bay. The tanker sank at a relatively shallow depth, and efforts are underway to siphon off the fuel oil cargo to prevent further environmental harm.
This incident is reminiscent of a previous oil spill caused by a sinking tanker off Oriental Mindoro province, which took months to contain and resulted in significant damage to marine ecosystems and local communities.
Manila Bay, a key tourism and business hub, is at risk of being affected by the potential oil spill. Efforts are being made to protect the marine environment and prevent long-term consequences on the region's biodiversity and economy.
The United States and Japan have previously assisted the Philippines in cleanup and rehabilitation efforts following major oil spills, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in addressing environmental disasters.
