Taiwan's Urgent Oil Removal from Grounded Chinese Ship

In a dramatic turn of events, Taiwan is currently engaged in a race against time to remove 284 tonnes of oil from a Chinese cargo ship that has run aground off its northeastern coast. This incident occurred as Typhoon Kong-rey approached the island, causing rough seas and power outages for the vessel. The Chinese-flagged ship, named Yu Zhou Qi Hang, was on a mission to transport three cranes from Keelung, Taiwan, to China when it encountered severe weather conditions.

On Tuesday, the ship lost power and began to drift, eventually running aground at Yehliu Geopark, located northeast of Taipei. Fortunately, Taiwanese authorities acted swiftly, deploying a coast guard vessel to rescue the 17 crew members aboard the ship. However, the situation remains critical as the Yu Zhou Qi Hang is reported to be carrying a significant amount of fuel, including 247 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 37 tonnes of light diesel oil.

Images captured by an AFP photographer reveal the precarious state of the ship, with red cranes visible above the water, one of which is leaning heavily against the rocky shore. The vessel itself is submerged, raising concerns about potential oil spills that could harm the marine environment.

Authorities are optimistic about the recovery efforts, with plans to begin oil removal operations on Friday afternoon. An official from the Maritime and Port Bureau indicated that the operation could take two to three days to complete. Kuan Bi-ling, the minister of the Ocean Affairs Council, reassured the public by stating that no oil leaks had been detected from the ship. In a Facebook post, Kuan expressed relief, saying, "I saw early this morning that there was no oil pollution at the scene. Nature is merciful and the oil tank was not damaged." To further mitigate risks, oil spill containment booms have been deployed around the vessel.

As Typhoon Kong-rey made landfall in eastern Taiwan on Thursday, it became one of the most powerful storms to hit the island in decades. The typhoon has already caused significant disruption, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Tragically, at least two lives have been lost, and around 580 individuals have sustained injuries due to the storm's fierce winds and heavy rainfall. Fortunately, the storm has weakened to a severe tropical storm as it crosses the Taiwan Strait.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by coastal regions during extreme weather events. The swift response by Taiwanese authorities highlights the importance of preparedness and effective crisis management in safeguarding both human lives and the environment. As recovery efforts continue, it is crucial for all stakeholders to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the challenges posed by natural disasters.