SRI LANKA has "better control" over a fresh fire on a loaded supertanker off the island nation and is looking for any signs of potential oil leaks from the ship.
A fire first broke out last Thursday (3) in the engine room of the very large crude carrier New Diamond and spread to the bridge of the vessel, which was chartered by Indian Oil Corp for importing 2 million barrels of oil from Kuwait. That blaze was doused on Sunday (6).
However, new flames erupted on Monday (7). The re-ignition of the fire occurred on the "right side of the vessel near the funnel at the rear," and is not near the tanks carrying crude oil, Navy spokesman Captain Indika de Silva said.
De Silva said that the fire was still burning but the fire fighting team has better control of the blaze.
"All members of the salvage team have arrived at the scene as more boundary cooling efforts are being done," he said, adding "additional assets, salvage personnel and fire fighting equipment is on the way."
Sri Lanka has deployed scientists and experts from its marine environment protection authority (MEPA) to assess the environmental damage caused by the fire.
One team will examine the ocean area where the burning ship is located and another is examining the coastal areas in the island’s eastern seaboard for signs of pollution, said Jagath Gunesekara, deputy general Mmanager of MEPA.
The New Diamond is about 30 nautical miles, or about 56 km (35 miles), east of Sangaman point, Sri Lanka's easternmost point.
Gunesekara said the experts will assess if the oil leaked from vessel into the sea or damage the beaches and marine life.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)