Environmental groups fear that a Ghanaian oil tanker that caught fire on Wednesday and leaked 14, 000 tonnes of fuel into the Atlantic Ocean in south-west Cameroon could cause an ecological disaster in Cameroon’s territorial waters.
There is growing fear of serious ecological consequences two days after the incident occurred in Debunsha (south-west), about 60km from the port of Douala.
“We are worried about the consequences with these fuel tons into the water,” the Environment Protection Organisation (OPE) said.
“We can only be very concerned considering the consequences that this type of incident has caused elsewhere, including in developed countries that are better equipped.”
Environmental risks apply both to the flora and fauna in this part of the Atlantic Ocean prized by fishermen not far from the Bakassi area rich in fisheries resources.
According to this association, the fire was still on until Friday and there is every indication that the ship will eventually burn away completely before sinking.
The Idenau (south-west) gendarmerie investigating the case reveal that the Ghanaian tanker was coming from Nigeria
Source African Press Agency
