Mauritius oil spill: Fears vessel may 'break in two' as cracks appear
Large cracks have reportedly appeared in the hull of a cargo ship leaking oil in Mauritius, prompting the prime minister to warn it may "break in two".
The MV Wakashio, believed to have been carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil, ran aground on a coral reef off the Indian Ocean island on 25 July.
Despite bad weather, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said 500 tonnes had been safely pumped out on Monday.
But he warned the country was preparing for the "worst-case scenario".
Mauritius is home to world-renowned coral reefs, and tourism is a crucial part of its economy.
Fuel has been transferred to shore by helicopter and to another ship owned by the same Japanese firm, Nagashiki Shipping.
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