Two Ships Collide, Oil Spill Off Mumbai Coast

Preliminary probe indicates that navigational error by the captains of the two ships could have led to the collision. A clearer and complete picture would emerge only after a detailed investigation, officials said

A helicopter and a ship of the Coast Guard were pressed into service to check the oil spill, Coast Guard officials said, adding it was not immediately possible to quantify the spillage or resultant damage to maritime fauna and flora.

Khalijia had reported on board flooding off the city harbour on July 19 after it developed cracks and had been stationed here since then for repairs.

Chitra, heading towards Mundra port in Gujarat, was loaded with dry cargo containers while Khalijia had 30,000 tons of steel coils.

The Indian captain and 32 crew members of Chitra were evacuated and the ship was grounded in the vicinity of the Prong Reef Lighthouse.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received a call soon after the collision and the Regional Operational Centre promptly diverted Coast Guard ship Kamala Devi for assistance, the officials said.

This handout photograph provided by the Ministry of Defence, shows Chitra a ship that collided, at an unknown location near Mumbai, India, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. Ships Chitra and Khalijia collided Saturday resulting in an oil spill. (AP Photo/Ministry of Defence, HO)