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Dozens sick in Philippine villages hit by oil spill from a tanker

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MANILA: Dozens of people in the Philippines have fallen ill after oil from a sunken tanker washed up on their shores, officials said on Wednesday, as authorities struggled to reach the leaking vessel.


The Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil when it sank more than a week ago off the central island of Mindoro, south of the capital Manila.


Diesel fuel and thick oil from the vessel have contaminated the waters and beaches of nine municipalities along the coast of Oriental Mindoro province, Governor Humerlito Dolor told reporters.


Oil has been spotted as far south as Semirara island — which is part of Antique province —more than 130 kilometres from where the tanker went down.


That has sparked concerns for the region’s rich marine life and economy.


Provincial health officer Cielo Ante said at least 43 people living in affected villages had reported suffering vomiting, headaches and nausea since the oil reached their shores.


“They live in areas where the oil spill occurred,” said Ante.


No one was hospitalised and authorities had not confirmed if the symptoms were the direct result of the spill, she added.


Dolor said clean-up efforts were underway to prevent a spike in sickness. — AFP


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