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Tanker capsizes off Philippines, one team missing, battle to include oil spill

A marine tanker bring industrial fuel sank in rough seas off the Philippines on Thursday, causing a large oil spill as coast guard rescuers search for a missing team member, officials stated.

Sixteen of the 17 team members of MT Terra Nova have actually been rescued, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista stated, after the ship capsized off the coastal town of Limay in Bataan province. A search is underway for the missing out on sailor.

There is currently oil spill. Today, we can not dispatch our resources due to the fact that of strong winds and high waves, Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista told a circumstance briefing.

The ship was carrying 1,494 metric tonnes of commercial fuel, Bautista stated.

Based on accounts of the rescued crew, Balilo said they experienced rough seas before the ship capsized.

Philippine coast guard spokesperson Armando Balilo informed a. separate briefing a 97-metre coast guard vessel had been. deployed to look for the missing team and fight the oil. spill. Smaller vessels are waiting on the weather to clear. before they might sail.

An aerial survey by the coast guard showed an oil slick. spreading approximately 2 nautical miles and being driven by strong. waves.

We are racing versus time. We will do our best to include. the fuel, Balilo said.

He added the waters where the ship sank is close to Manila. and there is big threat the spill could reach the capital.

That's part of the contingencies that we are preparing. for, Balilo stated.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had purchased the. environment ministry to assess the damage and the country's. environment ministry stated its chief was on her way to Limay. town.

An investigation is underway if the sinking is connected to. Typhoon Gaemi, which on Wednesday flooded swathes of the capital. Manila and surrounding towns. At least 14 people have died from. the tropical storm and monsoon rains, according to federal government data, and. authorities said the toll could go up.

LSEG's Eikon data reveals Terra Nova has a deadweight tonnage. of 1,415 tonnes and was headed to the main province of. Iloilo.

Last year, oil tanker MT Princess Empress was bring about. 800,000 litres of commercial fuel when it capsized on Feb. 28. and ultimately sank, triggering an oil spill which took three. months to cleanup and hit traveler towns.

(source: Reuters)