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China oil spill sparks fears of environmental disaster Burning tanker off Chinese coast 'in danger of exploding'
(35 minutes later)
There are fears of a growing environmental disaster in the East China Sea as a tanker continues to leak oil two days after colliding with a cargo ship. 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.
The Sanchi tanker was still ablaze on Monday morning, reports said. Chinese officials have told state media the vessel is in danger of exploding and sinking.
The crew, 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis, remain missing. Rescuers attempting to reach the site were being beaten back by toxic clouds, the transportation ministry has said.
The US Navy has sent a military aircraft to help China with the rescue efforts which have been hampered by the blaze and oil slick. 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 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 Sanchi belongs to an Iranian company. 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 has also sent a coast guard ship and a helicopter. 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.