As Typhoon Gaemi swept through Taiwan and the Philippines, it caused significant maritime disasters, resulting in the sinking of an oil tanker and a cargo ship, while three other vessels ran aground. The severe storm brought torrential rain and strong winds, leading to extensive flooding and tragic losses.
Sinking of MT Terra Nova and Oil Spill in the Philippines
In the early hours of Thursday, the oil tanker MT Terra Nova capsized in Manila Bay while carrying 1.4 million liters of oil. The vessel was en route to Iloilo but sank about 7 kilometers off the coast of Limay municipality in Bataan province. One of the 17 crew members is reported missing, and authorities are in a race against time to contain the oil spill, which stretches several kilometers. If the entire cargo were to leak, it would be the largest oil spill in the history of the Philippines, threatening the Manila shoreline. While the capsizing has not been directly linked to Typhoon Gaemi, authorities are investigating the potential impact of the storm on the incident.
Taiwan Faces Sinking and Grounding of Vessels
In Taiwan, the Tanzania-flagged cargo ship Fu Shun encountered rough seas and issued a distress call at around 6:30 am on Thursday, reporting that it was sinking. Nine Myanmar crew members fell overboard, complicating search and rescue operations due to continuing poor weather on Taiwan’s southeast coast.
Additional Maritime Incidents
Three other ships also ran aground during the storm. The Indonesia-flagged vessel Iriana ran aground in Pingtung shortly after repairs to its rudder. Fortunately, all 20 crew members were safe, and there was no risk of an oil leak. The Portugal-flagged ship Sopfia ran aground off the coast of Tainan, and the Mongolia-flagged Basia also ran aground in Pingtung. Taiwanese authorities confirmed that crews from these ships were safe or awaiting rescue.
Casualties and Injuries from the Typhoon
Typhoon Gaemi’s impact has been severe, with at least three fatalities and over 200 injuries reported. The storm’s powerful winds and heavy rains have caused widespread destruction and flooding across both Taiwan and the Philippines.
Ongoing Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Efforts to contain the oil spill in the Philippines and rescue operations in Taiwan are ongoing. The severe weather conditions continue to pose challenges to these operations, but authorities are working tirelessly to mitigate the disaster’s impact and ensure the safety of affected individuals.
Conclusion
Typhoon Gaemi has left a trail of destruction in its wake, sinking ships, causing a potentially massive oil spill, and resulting in significant loss of life and injuries. As rescue and containment efforts continue, the full extent of the storm’s damage is still being assessed. The international community watches closely, offering support and aid to the affected regions.
Also learn about Boat Capsizes Off Coast of Mauritania, Leaving At Least 150 Missing.
