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KIU International Desk: Second Japanese Team in Mauritius to Clean Mangroves Damaged by Oil Spill

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A second team from Japan - where the ship that ran aground Mauritius’ coast causing an environmentally damaging oil spill comes from - is in the island nation to clean up ecologically-sensitive mangrove forests, Al Jazeera reports.

Six members of the team travelled to Mauritius from Japan today, August 19, with the leader of the group joining from New York. One team of six experts, including a coastguard and diplomats, are already in the country to aid in the response to the devastating oil leak.

The team travelled with special oil-absorbent materials to help clean up tonnes of oil that leaked from the MV Wakashio,  threatening a protected marine park boasting mangrove forests and endangered species. 

According to Al Jazeera, the team is bringing 20 boxes of special oil-absorbent materials capable of soaking up 1,200 litres of oil in total. The material has been donated by Tokyo-based company M-TechX and was used in an oil leak accident in Japan last year. 

This latest move comes after both the Mauritian and Japanese governments came under fire for not doing more immediately to prevent a large-scale spill and Mauritian authorities responded by arresting the Indian captain of the ship on Tuesday, August 18.

Picture credit: Scuba Diver Mag