The representative of the United Nations in Sri Lanka stated that the sunken ship released harmful substances into the ecosystem and caused “major damage”.

The representative of the United Nations in Sri Lanka stated that a container ship that caught fire while transporting chemicals along the coast of the capital sank, releasing dangerous substances into the ecosystem and causing “major damage” to the planet.

The MV X-Press Pearl flying the Singaporean flag sinks in Colombo every Thursday After fire, Triggering concerns about possible environmental disasters.

The United Nations said it is coordinating international efforts and helping Sri Lanka assess losses, restore work and prevent such disasters in the future.

The UN Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Hana Singh-Hamdi, said in a statement Saturday night: “An environmental emergency of this nature will release harmful substances into the ecosystem, causing significant damage to the planet.” In turn, it threatens the lives and livelihoods of people in coastal areas.”

A United Nations team composed of oil spill and chemical experts provided by the European Union has been sent to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has submitted a temporary claim of US$40 million to X-Press Feeders, the ship’s operating company, to cover part of the firefighting costs. break out On May 20, the ship berthed about 9.5 nautical miles (18 kilometers) northwest of Colombo, waiting to enter the port.

Environmentalists sued the government and X-Press Feeders for allegedly failing to prevent Sri Lanka’s worst marine environmental disaster, and the Sri Lankan police have launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

Last week, experts recovered Data logger from the ship in fire.

The Sri Lankan Navy believed that the fire was caused by its chemical cargo, which included more than 22 tons of nitric acid and other chemicals, most of which were destroyed in the fire. But debris, including burning glass fibers and tons of plastic particles, has polluted nearby beaches.

Tons of microplastic particles flooded the famous beach of Negombo, a famous tourist destination in South Asia, forcing people to ban fishing and raising concerns about ecological damage.

Local media reported that since the ship caught fire on May 20, more than 50 turtles and 8 dolphins have been found dead across the island. The country’s top environmental official, Anil Jasinghe, linked the death to X-Press Pearl on Thursday, but said he was still waiting for the final autopsy report.

A list of ships seen by the Associated Press stated that the ship contained less than 1,500 containers, of which 81 were described as “dangerous” cargo.

The main problem is that about 300 tons of marine fuel oil are used as marine fuel. But officials have always said it might be burned in the fire.

Both the Sri Lankan authorities and the ship’s operator stated that so far there are no signs of oil spills.

The Sri Lankan Navy believes that the fire was caused by its chemical cargo, which included more than 22 tons of nitric acid and other chemicals [File: Sri Lanka Navy/AP]