Most oil on damaged ship off Mauritius removed, owner says

The owners of the oil tanker causing a massive oil spill off the coast of Mauritius says that most of the oil still aboard has now been secured and removed.

The. MC Wakashio has already spilled an estimated 1,000 tons of oil into the sea, but 2,000 tons were thought to be still on the ship before the announcement from the Nagashiki Shipping, a Japanese company.

Spokesman Yoshinori Fukushima, said, quote-

"I heard the collection is almost over, but it is hard to tell if there is absolutely no oil left on the ship".

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said on Tuesday that the MV Wakashio was expected to break apart, raising concerns of a major ecological disaster.

Oil from the stricken vessel has reached some of the Indian Ocean island's most pristine beaches, threatening corals, other local wildlife and the country's tourism industry.

Volunteers intensified their clean up efforts Wednesday, donning protective suits to shield themselves from the toxic slick.

Former colonial ruler France has said it will assist Mauritius with the clean up and Japan said it will send experts to help. The International Maritime Organization is providing technical advice.

Japan P&I Club- the only organization in Japan that underwrites protection and indemnity insurance for ocean-going vessels and coastal ships,

said it had yet to estimate the cost of the clean up.