The bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on July 25 with 4,000 tonnes of fuel aboard, resulting in oil seepage last week. The oil seepage stained coral reefs, mangrove forests, and tranquil lagoons in an unprecedented environmental catastrophe for Mauritius, the archipelago nation. However, on August 10, salvage crew worked hastily to prevent a second disaster from occurring as a damaged tanker carrying thousands of tonnes of fuel produced the risk of splitting apart.

Fuel was being airlifted on Monday by helicopter to the shore, but efforts to pump more from the hold were being thwarted by rough seas and strong winds.

The weather, which is also fanning the oil slick further up the coast, is not forecast to improve until evening.

Some fuel has been removed but 2,500 tonnes still remains aboard, said Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who warned cracks in the hull were worsening, and there was a very real chance the boat could split.

The carrier’s Japanese operator says more than 1,000 tonnes has already oozed from the ship, causing untold ecological damage to protected marine parks and fishing grounds that form the backbone of Mauritius’ economy.

“We are in an advanced fracturing process. The bulk carrier does not have much time ahead of it,” said one scientist working on the emergency effort, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Divers have reported fresh cracks in the hull while creaking sounds from the vessel could be heard from the southeast shore, where a major clean-up operation is underway to remove treacly sludge coating miles of Mauritius’ unspoiled coastline.

Japan on Monday dispatched a six-member team, including members of its coast guard, to assist. A French naval vessel with technical advisers aboard arrived Sunday from nearby Reunion, a French Indian Ocean island.

A spokesman at Mitsui OSK Lines, which operates the Wakashio, owned by another Japanese company, Nagashiki Shipping, told AFP it would send a team of experts as soon as Tuesday if they tested negative for coronavirus.

“Nagashiki Shipping deeply apologise to the people of Mauritius and will do their utmost protect the environment and mitigate the effects of the pollution,” the Wakashio’s owner said in a statement Monday.

Police are expected to take statements from the captain and crew of the Wakashio after launching an investigation. Detectives boarded the ship on Sunday and seized the logbook and black box.

Pressure is mounting on the government to explain why more was not done in the two weeks since the vessel ran aground.