Tanker took the bottom and inflamed near Cameroon

08.10.2009 Source: RIA Novosti

Ghana-flagged tanker took the ground off southwest Cameroon and ignited at Thursday night, reports France Press referring to Elie Mbape, representative of Cameroon law enforcement authorities.

According to information acquired, the accident happened near Debunscha settlement which is about 30 km away from Limbe city.

There was no information of the vessel crew. As for Mbape, rescuers and law enforcement personnel have found neither sufferers nor dead bodies.

The captain of vessel sailed from neighboring Nigeria is a citizen of Ghana, said Cameroon gendarmerie spokesman. It is said in ship logbook that tanker was carrying 14 000 l of fuel. Currently, it is uncertain whether the fuel on board or not.

Causes and circumstances of the accident are being investigated. Cameroon authorities consider all versions of the shipwreck including pirate assault, said Mbape.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer exporting about 2.5 mln bbl of crude oil per day. However, attacks of "Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta" (MEND) and other armed groupings on objects of Chevron, Shell and other oil companies at Niger delta have decreased oil export on 20% since 2006.