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Burning tanker off Chinese coast 'in danger of exploding' | 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. | 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 Sanchi is in danger of exploding and sinking. | Chinese officials have told state media the Sanchi 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. | 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 crew, 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis, remain missing despite international rescue efforts. |
Where, how and when did the accident happen? | Where, how and when did the accident happen? |
The Panama-flagged Sanchi was bringing its cargo of oil from Iran to South Korea when it was in collision with the Hong Kong-registered freighter CF Crystal, carrying grain from the US, in the East China Sea, about 260km (160 miles) off the coast of Shanghai. | The Panama-flagged Sanchi was bringing its cargo of oil from Iran to South Korea when it was in collision with the Hong Kong-registered freighter CF Crystal, carrying grain from the US, in the East China Sea, about 260km (160 miles) off the coast of Shanghai. |
The collision, in the mouth of the Yangtze River Delta, occurred on Saturday evening. | The collision, in the mouth of the Yangtze River Delta, occurred on Saturday evening. |
The exact cause of the collision is not yet known. | The exact cause of the collision is not yet known. |
What exactly is the Sanchi carrying? | What exactly is the Sanchi carrying? |
The tanker, run by Iran's leading oil shipping operator, has on board 136,000 tonnes of condensate, which is an ultra light version of crude oil. | The tanker, run by Iran's leading oil shipping operator, has on board 136,000 tonnes of condensate, which is an ultra light version of crude oil. |
That's about one million barrels and at current prices is worth roughly $60m (£44m). | That's about one million barrels and at current prices is worth roughly $60m (£44m). |
The Sanchi will also be carrying a certain amount of heavy - and toxic - shipping fuel. | The Sanchi will also be carrying a certain amount of heavy - and toxic - shipping fuel. |
Condensate is very different from the black crude that is often seen in oil spills. | Condensate is very different from the black crude that is often seen in oil spills. |
It exists in gas form within high-pressure oil reservoirs and liquefies once extracted. | |
It is highly toxic, low in density and considerably more explosive than regular crude oil. | It is highly toxic, low in density and considerably more explosive than regular crude oil. |
So is it bad for the environment? | So is it bad for the environment? |
It is potentially worse than heavy crude. | It is potentially worse than heavy crude. |
Condensate remains liquid only under certain conditions. | Condensate remains liquid only under certain conditions. |
John Driscoll of JTD Energy Services told the BBC: "Condensate is more likely to evaporate or mix in with the water. | John Driscoll of JTD Energy Services told the BBC: "Condensate is more likely to evaporate or mix in with the water. |
"It also can be colour- and odour-less, so it is a lot harder to detect, contain and clean up." | "It also can be colour- and odour-less, so it is a lot harder to detect, contain and clean up." |
The environmental impact of the spill may be mitigated by the distance of the collision from the nearest coastline. | The environmental impact of the spill may be mitigated by the distance of the collision from the nearest coastline. |
How is the rescue going? | How is the rescue going? |
The Sanchi was still ablaze on Monday morning. | The Sanchi was still ablaze on Monday morning. |
There is no word on the fate of the 32-strong crew, although the 21 Chinese nationals on the grain freighter were rescued. | There is no word on the fate of the 32-strong crew, although the 21 Chinese nationals on the grain freighter 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. | 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 also sent a military aircraft to help with the rescue efforts. | The US Navy also sent a military aircraft to help with the rescue efforts. |