THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF ARUBA HAS ISSUED AN ALERT AFTER A MASSIVE OIL SPILL CLOSE TO NEIGHBOURING ISLAND OF BONAIRE

The Caribbean island of Aruba has issued an alert after a massive oil spill close to thei neighbouring island of Bonaire.

The oil spill was first spotted near Tobago in early February. A barge capsized with 35,000 barrels of fuel on board.

Currently, the twin-island country of Trinidad and Tobago is roping in help from other Caribbean nations to assist them with efforts with the hope of protecting their mangrove forests and national parks which are under threat due to the spill.

Rino Hermans, Aruba’s Crisis Management Office director, said the island is being protected from all four corners as emergency services have been mobilised.

“We have divided Aruba’s territory in four seconds so each department is monitoring.” He added that turtle nesting sites and tourist beaches will be protected.

Only seven years ago, a similar oil spill in the Trinidad area had a major impact several of the island nations in the Caribbean ocean.

Hermans said that this time around, the issue could be more difficult to resolve as the vessel’s owner and operator still hasn’t been identified.

Aruba’s government has said as soon as the oil slicks are visible near its shores, it plans to activate a 60-person tea of first responders.

Image credit: Reuters