BREAKING: Latest Radar Satellite Shows Wakashio Hull Broken In Two

A Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite from Iceye and analyzed by Ursa Space Systems reveals that the Wakashio had broken in two parts by 3.28pm on 15 August 2020.

This validates imagery taken earlier in the day that showed water rushing into the hull of the stricken vessel in the morning of Saturday 15 August.

Imagery from earlier on the 15 August also identifies a trail of polluting heavy fuel oil that is continuing to leak from the Wakashio.

At the time of the breakup, it was unclear how many gallons remained on board.

In a statement four days earlier on 11 August 2020, the company revealed that of the over 1,000,000 gallons (3800 tons) being carried on board, over 200,000 gallons (720 metric tons) had leaked into the lagoon, and almost 450,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil (1600 metric tons) were still on board at that stage.

Satellite images taken around the vessel on the morning 15 August reveal that heavy oil continues to leak.

At 10.14am on Saturday 15 August 2020, a satellite by Planet captured the moment when cool ocean water rushed into the widening gap between the two broken sections of the Wakashio, as the vessel started to sink below the waves.

From this high definition image taken on the morning of 15 August, it can be seen that the salvage vessels were no longer alongside the Wakashio, and that lines of toxic heavy fuel oil continued to stream from the sinking vessel.