Japan team: coral, mangroves damaged by split ship

Japan's relief team for an oil spill accident off Mauritius said on Tuesday that some coral reefs and mangroves were damaged by the cracked vessel and spilled oil.

"Due to the oil adhering, there are possibilities that mangroves will be weaken and die in the future. We need to closely monitor the condition," said vice relief team leader Noriaki Sakaguchi during an online media briefing held by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

They have not confirmed any death of coral reefs or mangroves.

The Japanese ship, Wakasio, ran aground a coral reef on July 25 and after being pounded by heavy waves for several days.

The vessel cracked and started leaking oil on August 6 into the protected coast of the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius and broke apart.

The damaged ship spilled over 1,000 tons of its cargo of 4,000 tons of fuel into the turquoise waters of the Mahebourg Lagoon, one of the island's most pristine coastal areas.

Most of the remaining 3,000 tons of fuel had been pumped off the ship in the past week as environmental groups warned that the damage to coral reefs could be irreversible.

The team brought equipment such as oil adsorbents that will be used locally and carry out support activities, mainly in the environmental field.

The first response team that consists of seven people was dispatched two weeks ago.

"Such as issuing reports, Japan team will continue playing our role to meet the demands," said Reiji Tashiro, the head of the team.