Popular beach resort in Singapore closed after oil spill
Beaches at a popular tourist beach resort in Singapore have been closed because of an oil spill.
Waters and sand at Tanjong Beach on Sentosa island have been stained dark by the slick, which happened after a collision between two ships.
The oil spill spread from the nearby Pasir Panjang shipping terminal after a dredger ship struck a stationary bunker vessel on Friday.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said on Friday evening that some oil from the damaged cargo tank on the bunker vessel had spilt into the water and “the affected cargo tank has been isolated and the spill contained”.
In an update on Saturday, it said patches of oil were observed off Pasir Panjang Terminal and along Tanjong, Palawan, and Siloso beaches.
The authority said it deployed 16 oil spill response craft “to continue spraying oil dispersants and to collect the oil slicks on the water surface”.
“Oil slick spotted. Clean up in progress. Please stay clear of water,” a sign posted on the beach said.
An advisory on the Sentosa website said the waters of Tanjong, Palawan, and Siloso beaches were closed for cleaning and swimming and sea activities were not allowed.