Philippines: Hundreds evacuated following oil spill off the coast of Iloilo City July 3

Event

Disaster management officials have reported that as of Sunday, July 5, around 400 residents have been evacuated from coastal regions of Iloilo City (Western Visayas region) due to the impact of a fuel spill that began on Friday, July 3. An explosion occurred on a barge on Friday afternoon (local time), spilling over 250,000 liters (66,000 gallons) of bunker fuel into the sea. The residents have been moved due to fears over the impact of toxic fumes caused by the spill. The coast guard is investigating the incident and has said that it may take around two weeks for clear up operations to be completed.

Residual disruption is to be expected in the vicinity of the fuel spill as the response operations continue.

Advice

Individuals in the Iloilo City area are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the vicinity of the spill, and follow all instructions issued by authorities, including evacuation orders.