• Smoke erupted in a container loaded with chemicals

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

A fire was reported in a container on board a Singapore-flag ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ in the seas off Colombo Port, the Navy said.  

The Navy said the harbour firefighters and the Navy were dispatched to the scene following a smoke reported from a container aboard the ship on Thursday afternoon. It was reported the smoke erupted in a container loaded with chemicals. However, the smoke later escalated into a fire since Thursday night due to the rainwater mixed with the burning chemicals. Navy Spokesman Captain Indika De Silva said the vessel which is registered under the flag of Singapore has carried 1486 containers with 25 tons of Nitric Acid, several other chemicals and cosmetics from the port of Hazira, India.