(Shanghai) An Iranian
oil tanker ablaze off the Chinese coast is at risk of exploding 36 hours after
the vessel collided with a grain ship and erupted in flames. The Sanchi carrying
136,000 tonnes of light oil was heading to South Korea when it collided with a
Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship, the CF Crystal, carrying 64,000 tonnes of grain.
There is no sign of the crew of 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis.
There is no sign of the crew of 30 Iranians and two Bangladeshis.
The accident which happened on Saturday evening 160 miles
(300km) east of Shanghai poses a serious environmental risk for the region. The
ship was carrying condensate, an ultralight version of crude oil that converts
from a gas to a liquid during extraction. Korean coastguard officials say much of the condensate may have
evaporated or burned off in the aftermath of the crash. But any oil that did
leak into the ocean will be harder to clean up, since condensate mixes more
easily with water compared with traditional crude oil.
