An investigation has been launched into the matter of anchoring a ship containing dangerous chemicals at the Gadani shipbreaking yard despite an explicit warning by Interpol.
According to the details, the Environment Protection Agency, Balochistan, has sealed the plot where the ship was anchored and sent the samples of the contents inside it to three private laboratories in Karachi.
A probe has been launched into the matter by the Lasbela deputy commissioner to find out how the ship with its hazardous contents was allowed to anchor at the yard despite a clear warning given by Interpol.
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Deputy Director of Environment Department, Balochistan, Imran Saeed Kakar, said, “We have sealed plot No-58 where the ship was brought for scrapping,” adding that permission was not granted to the owner who brought the ship to Gadani for scrapping.
He said that further investigations will be done and the matter will be handled after reports are received from the three laboratories.
“If the mercury sludge is found in more than the authorised quantity then a case would be registered against the person who purchased the ship through his agent from Mumbai and the plot would be sealed permanently and the owner would face legal action,” he warned.
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The ship containing 1,500 tonnes of mercury mixed with oil was first brought to India and Bangladesh, however, both countries did not allow its scrapping at their shipbreaking yards.
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