A tanker laden with 2,800 million tonnes naphtha is floating abandoned off the Goan coast, India. There are concerns that the toxic content could spill as a strong cyclone is approaching the Arabian Sea’s Coastline.
The Indian Coast Guard took the upcoming cyclone into consideration, and issued a warning, saying that it could worsen things for the tanker, which is abandoned since 2018, carrying flammable liquid.
Specifically, the Coast Guard has issued alerts to India’s coastal states of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra, including Union Territories of Lakshadweep in addition to the fisheries authorities.
Commenting on the possibility of a spill, a government official told local media that if that happens it would be catastrophic for the marine life, along with the entire coastal zone for miles. Naphtha is highly volatile, carcinogenic and toxic with a low boiling point.
The ship has already sustained damages due to the cyclonic storm Kyarr.
