Emergency crews in Trinidad and Tobago are busy cleaning up a massive oil spill after a mysterious ship ran aground near the Caribbean island, casting a cloud over Carnival tourism.
Prime Minister Keith Rowley declared a national emergency on Sunday after an oil leak from a ship affected about 15 kilometers (about 10 miles) of coastline.
“Cleaning and restoration can only begin once the situation is under control. At this time, the situation is not under control,” Lowry told reporters.
Environmental officials said the spill damaged coral reefs and the Atlantic coast, a dire sign for the island's resorts and hotels, which are the lifeblood of the local economy during Carnival season.
Divers have so far been unable to plug the leak. They spotted the name Gulfstream on the side of the ship and determined the length of the cable, possibly indicating it was being towed, Lowry said.
The vessel capsized off the coast of Cove Eco-Industrial Park in southern Tobago on February 7 and was dragged ashore by ocean currents.
The ship was sailing under an unknown flag and had not made any emergency calls when it was spotted on Wednesday.
The island's emergency management agency said there were no signs of life on the ship and its cargo was initially believed to be sand and wood.
The leak comes at the height of Carnival, threatening tourism, which is vital to the dual-island nation's economy.
