Indian Oil chartered tanker carrying 270,000 tonnes of oil catches fire off Sri Lanka

A very large crude carrier otherwise known as VLCC, chartered by the Indian Oil Corp, has caught fire when it was heading to the port of Paradip in India, where the state-run firm operates a 300,000 barrels per day refinery.

The exact reason behind the oil tanker caught fire, hasn’t been affirmed yet, it had sailed from Mina Ahmadi in Kuwait carrying Kuwait Export crude, it was ablaze 20 miles east coast of Sri Lanka, stated the Sri Lankan spokesman Commander Ranjith Rajapaksa.

The Sri Lankan air force has sent an observation aircraft and two ships have been sent by the navy in for the rescue operations. The ship which is carrying 270,000 tonnes worth of oil has the possibility of grave consequences if there is any leakage, to prevent that, Sri Lanka’s Marine Protection Authority would take measures.

Oil product tanker Helen M, on a time charter with India’s Reliance Industries, had also joined in the rescue operations. There is a probability of an explosion in the ship, causing injuries to crew members, due to which they are eager to abandon the ship.

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News source: Indian Express

Update by Ashish Roy