Fishermen from the Colombo, Kalutara, and Negombo areas have been requested to remain vigilant over the vessel that has caught fire off the coast of Colombo.
State Minister of Multi-Day Fishing and Fish Exports Kanchana Wijesekera said it has been reported that a few cargo containers have fallen into the sea due to an explosion that occurred on the vessel today.
Issuing a statement on Facebook, he said the containers are said to be carrying chemicals, such as epoxy resin.
The State Minister warned that coming into contact with the chemical could cause respiratory issues and skin issues.
He further called on fishermen venturing into sea and people living in the coastal belt to immediately evacuate if they come into close proximity of the cargo containers floating in the sea.
The fisherman and residents of coastal areas have been informed to immediately notify the Police or the Ministry of Fisheries if they see the cargo containers in the seas.
The MV X-Press Pearl first made a call of distress 9.5 nautical miles off the coast of Colombo on Friday (21). The Sri Lanka Navy thereafter took measures to contain the fire.
However, an explosion had occurred today intensifying the fire. The Navy is taking measures to contain the fire, while the vessel is being moved further away from the coast of Colombo.
State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has released video footage on the latest situation of the cargo vessel. (NewsWire)