Pictured here are some images captured by Sri Lanka Airforce during this morning’s (26) assessment of the MV X-Press Pearl inferno situation. Following an explosion that happened onboard the vessel this morning, the Marine Protection Environment Authority (MEPA) strongly advised people not to collect debris that washes onto the shores as it could pose a severe health risk. However, images prove that some have disregarded these warnings. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had instructed the MEPA, Security Forces and other stakeholders to launch an operation to take measures to prevent marine environment destruction caused by the blazing ship. As seen in the pictures, damage to parts of Sri Lanka’s Western coastline has already taken place.

Source: The Nation May 26, 2021 18:01 UTC