Video: Explosion rocks X-Press Pearl after she leaves anchorage
The fire aboard the X-Press Pearl has intensified after an explosion rocked the nitric-acid laden vessel.
The 2,743-teu X-Press Pearl, which is carrying 25 tonnes of nitric acid, has suffered an explosion after being ordered to leave the anchorage at Colombo by the Sri Lankan Marine Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA).
The blaze now appears to be out of control and all 25 crewmembers have been evacuated, according to navy spokesperson, Captain Indika de Silva. The fire broke out last Thursday and appeared to have been brought under control over the weekend.
X-Press Pearl is now anchored 18km off Colombo and Dharshani Lahandapura, MEPA chair, said ocean currents had exacerbated the fire.
“The distressed X-Press Pearl is now in a critical situation, where the fire is increasing due to the strong winds,” she said.
Eight containers have fallen overboard and seven have now sunk, and new photos from the Sri Lankan air force show flames and smoke erupting from the vessel.
