Photos: Ship snaps in two off Japan coast, crew safe

A fuel leak has spread around 24kms but the extent of any environmental impact was unclear

Last updated: August 13, 2021 | 07:32

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Tokyo: A cargo ship ran aground and broke into two off northern Japan, the coastguard said Thursday, with the crew of the Panama-flagged vessel taken to safety.

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Aerial images showed the separated stern of the Crimson Polaris tipped upwards and the other part of the stricken boat listing into the sea.

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A fuel leak from the ship has spread around 24 kilometres (15 miles), a coastguard spokesman told AFP, but the extent of any environmental impact was unclear.

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"Crimson Polaris ran aground in Hachinohe port in Aomori," said the spokesman, who declined to be named. "All the 21 crew members - Chinese and Filipino - were rescued safely," he said.

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Three patrol boats and three aircraft were dispatched after the ship ran aground on Wednesday in the port off Japan's northeastern coast.

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Authorities were trying to contain the oil leak but had not yet been able to erect an oil fence around the boat, the spokesman said.

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"The patrol boats will operate overnight" to avoid collisions, he said, adding that no other ship was known to be involved in the accident.

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