ICG hands over 1500 kg of DCP to Sri Lankan officials for fire-fighting on MT New Diamond

The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday said that it invoked SACEP(South Asian Cooperative for Environment Protection) & MoU provisions as ICG ship Abheek entered Trincomalee harbour to hand over 1500kg of dry chemical powder to Sri Lankan authorities for fire-fighting the blaze on MT New Diamond. The ICG also said that Dornier aircraft has been launched from Chennai to Trincomalee with 700 kg DCP.

ICG hands over 1500 kg of DCP to SL authorities

The fire onboard oil tanker MT New Diamond off Sri Lanka coast was doused on Sunday before it reignited on Monday due to prevailing intense heat onboard. The Indian Coast Guard said that along with Sri Lankan ships and tugs, it continues to "firefight despite adverse weather conditions, resulting in intensity & quantum of flames being reduced.

The ICG has been engaged in fire fighting and pollution response operation for MT New Diamond since September 3. According to the ICG, no oil spill has been reported, fire remains localised and the cargo hold is reported to be safe. According to ANI, twenty-two crew members of the oil Motor Tanker (MT) New Diamond caught fire after a major explosion in its engine room on September 3 when it was transiting in Sri Lankan exclusive economic zone.

READ | ICG successfully tows MT New Diamond away from Sri Lanka's coast

The large 333-metre long crude carrier is carrying over three lakh metric tons of crude oil for the Indian Oil Corporation from Kuwait to Paradip. ICG ships Sujay, Shaurya, Sarang and pollution response vessel Samudra Paheredar are continuously engaged in the firefighting operation on rotation, using a specialised external firefighting system, a statement from ICG said on Sunday.

READ | ICG successfully contains MT New Diamond fire despite harsh weather conditions

Sri Lankan ships Samudra, Udara, SLCGS Samaraksha, SLCGS Samudra Raksha, SLN FACs P 462 and 464, along with Indian Navy's INS Sahyadri, are in the area. CG Helicopter ex-ICGS Sujay is being launched regularly for aerial assessment and planning the further course of action. Aerial recce by Sri Lankan Air Force Beachcraft and spraying of water through Bambi Bucket by Sri Lankan Air Force MI-17 are also in progress, the statement said.

READ | MT New Diamond fire 'under control', aerial reconnaissance underway: INS Sahyadri

READ | Samudra Paheredar arrives at rescue site; boosts ICG's operation on 'MT New Diamond'

(With agency inputs)