AN explosion on board the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV X-Press Pearl, on which a fire had been burning for several days anchored near Sri Lanka's capital, has prompted the crew's evacuation with two injured seamen, reports Associated Press.
Navy spokesman Indika De Silva said the vessel's 25-member crew includes Philippine, Chinese, Indian and Russian nationals. The two injured Indian crew members were admitted to hospital in Colombo.
Several containers also tumbled into the sea, he said.
The container vessel was anchored about nine and a half nautical miles north-west of Colombo and waiting to enter its port when the fire erupted on May 19, the Sri Lankan navy said.
It said it believes the fire was caused by chemicals being transported on the ship, which was carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid and other chemicals, which it loaded at the port of Hazira, India, on May 15, it said.
X-Press Feeders, which owns and operates the ship, confirmed the crew was safe and said it would work closely with Sri Lankan authorities and emergency services to extinguish the blaze and save the vessel and its cargo.
"Specialised firefighting equipment which arrived from Europe last night will join the salvaging operations," according to a statement on its website.
Aerial photos released by Sri Lanka's air force showed the vessel engulfed in flames and thick smoke. High winds intensified the blaze, Captain Silva said.
Five tugboats were engaged in firefighting efforts and a navy ship was anchored nearby to help them, he said.
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