THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY
All crew on board of the X-Press Pearl, feeder vassal, have evacuated as the fire spreads further this morning. However, tug boats deployed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the owner of the ship, X-Press Feeders, are continuing the fire-fighting efforts.
Meanwhile, the Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister of Ports and Shipping addressed the media after inspecting the situation at the Colombo Port’s Pilot Station this morning.
“The Sri Lanka Ports Authority and all other agencies are working together to overcome this challenge. We are trying our best to extinguish the fire as the fire broke out again due to the continuous reaction of the chemical materials in the containers and adverse weather,” he said.
“In view of the prevailing situation, all crew of the ship have been evacuated and kept in safe places in accordance with the health regulations enforced in the country. We have made plans to carry out future activities in a manner that does not harm the country’s seas and marine environment,” he added.
