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Burning tanker off Chinese coast 'in danger of exploding' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
There are fears of an environmental disaster in the East China Sea as a tanker continues to leak oil two days after colliding with a cargo ship. | |
Chinese officials have told state media the vessel is in danger of exploding and sinking. | |
Rescuers attempting to reach the site were being beaten back by toxic clouds, the transportation ministry has said. | |
The crew, 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis, remain missing despite international rescue efforts. | |
The extent of the spill and environmental hazard are still unclear. The vessel was still ablaze on Monday morning. | |
The tanker had been carrying an ultra-light form of oil known as condensate which in the case of a spill can be more dangerous for the environment than regular crude. | The tanker had been carrying an ultra-light form of oil known as condensate which in the case of a spill can be more dangerous for the environment than regular crude. |
"Condensate is more likely to evaporate and mix in with the water," John Driscoll of JTD Energy Services told the BBC. | "Condensate is more likely to evaporate and mix in with the water," John Driscoll of JTD Energy Services told the BBC. |
"It also can be colour- and odourless - so it is a lot harder to detect, contain and clean up." | "It also can be colour- and odourless - so it is a lot harder to detect, contain and clean up." |
Though Panama-registered, the tanker Sanchi belongs to an Iranian company. | |
The Sanchi was carrying 136,000 tonnes of Iranian oil when the vessel collided with a Chinese cargo ship on Saturday night, 165 nautical miles east of Shanghai. | The Sanchi was carrying 136,000 tonnes of Iranian oil when the vessel collided with a Chinese cargo ship on Saturday night, 165 nautical miles east of Shanghai. |
The 21-strong crew of the Chinese ship were rescued. | The 21-strong crew of the Chinese ship were rescued. |
China has sent several ships to carry out search-and-rescue operations while South Korea helped with a coast guard ship and a helicopter. | |
The US Navy had also sent a military aircraft to help with the rescue efforts. |