PHUKET, THAILAND – An expanding oil spill from a sunken cargo ship reached the tourist island of Koh Hey, threatening marine life and the local tourism industry.
Black sludge fouls island beach
Residents and tourists discovered a shocking scene on Wednesday along the beach of Koh Hey, also known as Coral Island. Black oily sludge stuck in the sand, while parts of the water surface were coated with a shiny film.
What had been a holiday setting appeared at risk. Local MP Chalermpong Saengdee raised the alarm immediately.
“The spread of the oil is massively threatening the ecosystem and tourism,”
said Chalermpong Saengdee, local member of parliament.
The island is a popular destination for snorkeling and diving, adding to concerns about the potential impact.
900 meters of shoreline contaminated
The maritime emergency center Thai-MECC released initial details about the contamination. Pollution extended along 900 meters of coastline, where oil had clumped into tar balls and larger tar patches.
Even a floating pontoon in the area was already fouled by the spill. Officials stated that this was only part of the unfolding situation.
Other coastal sections were described as acutely at risk. The list of threatened zones included some of Phuket’s best-known beaches.
Officials list beaches at high risk
Authorities warned of further spread in the coming period. Particularly exposed were Ao Rawai, Koh Kaeo Noi, Koh Kaeo Yai, Nai Harn, Rawai Beach and Kata Beach.
These areas host valuable coral reefs and seagrass meadows, described as nurseries for countless marine species. If oil reached these habitats, a large-scale fish kill was expected.
Officials said ecological damage in such a scenario would be extremely difficult to reverse. The warning underlined the vulnerability of the region’s marine environment.
Divers race to plug leak at 60 meters depth
Rescue teams worked under intense pressure to halt the leak from the sunken vessel. A specialist team was deployed continuously to seal the breach in the wreck of the Sealloyd Arc.
The ship lay at a depth of 60 meters on the seabed, from where oil continued to escape. The ongoing leak was described as a ticking time bomb.
“We are doing everything to stop the discharge,”
said a spokesperson for the emergency crews.
However, the depth of the wreck made the diving operations extremely dangerous, limiting how quickly the work could proceed.
Cargo ship disaster three weeks earlier
On 7 February 2025, the 4,339-ton freighter sank off the coast of Phuket while en route from Malaysia to Bangladesh. On board were 297 containers, including 14 carrying hazardous materials.
All 16 crew members were rescued after the incident. Since then, the wreck had been lying south of Koh Kaeo Noi, described again as a ticking environmental time bomb.
Authorities viewed the combination of residual fuel and dangerous cargo as a persistent threat. The subsequent spread of oil toward tourist islands appeared to confirm those fears.
Floating containers pose additional risk
Officials issued strong warnings to the public regarding debris at sea and along the shore. People were told not to approach any containers or oil residues they might find.
Some containers could still hold hazardous chemicals, which currents might wash ashore.
“Do not approach! Notify the authorities immediately,”
said emergency services in an urgent appeal.
The warning aimed to protect both residents and visitors from contact with unknown substances.
Manual cleanup and scientific monitoring
Response teams focused on a gentle cleanup strategy to limit further harm to the environment. Oil was being collected by hand to avoid additional damage to beaches and marine habitats.
Waste from the operation was subject to strict disposal controls. At the same time, marine biologists examined how badly the coral had already been affected.
It remained completely unclear when, or if, popular diving and snorkeling trips could safely resume. The open question underscored the uncertainty for tourism operators in the region.
Environmental crisis in a tourist hotspot
The spread of oil pollution to Koh Hey struck a sensitive ecosystem of coral reefs and seagrass meadows. At the same time, it hit a region heavily dependent on tourism for its income.
The situation raised the issue of whether manual cleanup measures would be sufficient in the longer term. It also highlighted debate over the need for stricter safety requirements for hazardous cargo freighters near tourist coasts.