Several more oil slicks have been found near the sinking site of Iranian oil tanker Sanchi in the East China Sea, adding to the difficulty of oil cleanup operations.
According to the State Oceanic Administration of China, the total oil slick area has expanded to around 332 sq km from earlier reported 100 sq km. The administration said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
The tanker, which was carrying 136,000 tonnes of light crude oil, sank in the East China Sea on Sunday, a week after colliding with Chinese bulker CF Crystal. All 32 are members from the tanker were killed.
China’s Ministry of Transport said it is up to the shipowner’s choice whether to salvage the tanker and it believes the salvage work would face huge risks and difficulties as the oil residues inside the tanker could trigger yet another explosion.
The decoding process of the voyage data recorder, which was retrieved from the vessel by four brave Chinese rescuers one day before the vessel’s sinking, will start on Monday with all relevant parties present.
