Spills · chemical

The container ship x-press pearl has been on fire since may 25th off the coast of colombo, sri lanka

MV X-press Pearl, Indian Ocean; Sri Lanka · Sri Lanka · NOAAORR-10290

issued
2021-06-02 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2021-06-16 00:00Z
self-cancels
2021-06-16 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Laccadive Sea
position
7.455, 79.617
vessel
MV X-PRESS PEARL · 4 messages
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

MV X-Press Pearl, Indian Ocean; Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka.
1. The Container Ship X-Press Pearl has been on fire since May 25th off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The fire has been contained but the ship is now expected to sink. Attempts to tow the vessel away from shore have been unsuccessful. The ship was reportedly loaded with approximately 1500 containers including 81 with dangerous goods. The precise contents are still being investigated, but include nitric acid. Some containers were lost overboard and all have been damaged by the fire. Plastic pellets (nurdles) are washing ashore. Leaking bunker fuel is a concern but no reports of oil spills so far. The US DOS, USAID, DOD, and National Security Council are in discussions about providing potential assistance including members of the US National Response Team. This hotline is being opened to capture information about the incident.
2. THREAT: CHEMICAL.
3. POSITION 7.455N 079.617E. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 10290: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/10290

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