Ship not a public health threat

A Romanian ship carrying fertilisers which was allowed to dock at the Djibouti port over the weekend does not pose a health hazard to the country, a Djibouti port official told IRIN on Wednesday.

The Sylvia, a bulk carrier, docked at Djibouti after three members of its crew reportedly died from inhaling toxic fumes. "The ship was allowed to dock on humanitarian grounds, after three crew members died, and others were taken ill," said Muhammad Abar, the Djibouti harbour master. The decision had been reached following confirmation that "the problem was internal to the ship and posed no risk to Djibouti", he added.

Apparently, the crew members died after they went down to the engine room and "were exposed to exhaust gas fumes, which suffocated them", he said. The official said the dead included the ship's captain. The bodies, which had been taken from the ship, would be dispatched to Romania on Saturday. According to Abar, three other crew members were successfully treated for minor ailments.

However, the crew were refusing to leave with the ship until they were assured that the problem would not recur on the high seas. The ship's destination was China, and the crew "are afraid that something similar may occur while they are at sea", Abar said.

Meanwhile, the Romanian consul in Yemen had arrived in Djibouti to reassure the crew and repatriate the deceased, he said.

Fears of a widespread environmental and humanitarian crisis arose after 10 containers holding a highly toxic substance known as chromated copper arsenate began leaking at the port in January, contaminating five sites, with a number of people having to undergo treatment in Djibouti hospitals as a result.