PCG: Oil tanker off Oriental Mindoro now fully submerged, oil spill worsens 

This photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows the oil spill that followed the sinking of MT Princess Empress in waters off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province early Tuesday morning, February 28, 2023. PCG photo

MANILA, Philippines — The oil tanker carrying 800,000 liters of fuel has fully submerged in waters off Naujan town in Oriental Mindoro province, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday.

The PCG likewise said that the extent of the oil spill in the area has expanded.

The MT Princess Empress encountered engine trouble amid rough sea conditions causing it to sink early Tuesday morning partially.

READ: Oil spill ensues after vessel carrying 800,000 liters of oil sinks in Oriental Mindoro

“The Philippine Coast Guard response team confirmed that from being half-submerged, the MT Princess Empress has fully submerged,” the PCG said in a statement.

It also said that the diesel fuel spillage had extended six kilometer-long and four kilometer-wide as of 6:10 a.m., March 1. Authorities are still determining if there is also a spillage of industrial oil.

To delay the further spread of fuel, the PCG deployed BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Habagat for surveillance while the oil tanker company also deployed a tugboat to collect the oil spills. The tugboat MTug Titan began the collection of spilled diesel at around 2 p.m. also on Wednesday.

The PCG is likewise expected to form a crisis management committee to investigate and respond to the incident.

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