(CNN) A ship that has leaked tons of oil off the coast of Mauritius has split apart, authorities said on Saturday. "At around 4.30 pm, a major detachment of the vessel's forward section was observed," the National Crisis Committee of Mauritius said in statement. The Japanese-owned ship, MV Wakashio, ran aground at Pointe d'Esny in late July and began leaking tons of oil into a pristine Indian Ocean lagoon last week. But a crack inside the hull of the ship expanded earlier this week, according to the ship's operator Mitsui O.S.K. The MV Wakashio split on Saturday after weeks grounded in pristine waters off Mauritius.

Source: CNN August 16, 2020 00:56 UTC