Oil leak from grounded bulk carrier as storms continue to batter the wreck

Oil is leaking from the wreck of the 13,800 dwt bulk carrier Ultra Galaxy (built in 2008), which listed in bad weather off the coast of South Africa.

Aerial photographs taken by the South African Maritime Authority show that the wreck broke into two pieces and continued to capsize. Large parts are now underwater.

The ship was en route from Europe to Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) with a cargo of fertilizer when it began to list in bad weather and the crew was forced to abandon ship.

Authorities suspect that the list may have been caused by the liquefaction of the ammonium nitrate cargo.

It ran aground off the west coast of South Africa on July 9, where salvage efforts were continually hampered by bad weather.

The agency said the oil was floating and had reached some beaches. It also said it was working with local authorities to contain the environmental impact of the spill.

Additional volunteers are being called in to clean up the oil spill.