Oil tanker runs aground off Mauritius spilling 4,000 tons of fuel into its turquoise sea - as luxury holiday island declares 'state of environmental emergency'

Mauritius has declared a 'state of environmental emergency' after nearly 4,000 tons of oil were spilt into the Indian Ocean when a ship ran aground.

A government statement said the Panama-flagged bulk carrier initially ran aground on July 25 but the National Coast Guard did not receive a distress call.

Online ship trackers showed that the MV Wakashio had been travelling from China to Brazil when it ran aground on a coral reef and its crew was evacuated.

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Mauritius has declared a 'state of emergency' after nearly 4,000 tons of oil were spilt into the Indian Ocean when the MV Wakashio ran aground

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The bulk carrier ran aground on a coral reef on July 25 and the crew were evacuated but the national coast guard were not contacted

Mauritius declares state of emergency as oil spill devastates island

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Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth said that the oil spill presents a danger and he has had to ask France for assistance because the island nation of 1.3million people doesn't have the expertise to re-float stranded ships. 

A salvage team was sent to work on the ship but was evacuated from the area after cracks were found in the vessel's hull. 

Despite being registered in Panama, the MV Wakashio is owned by a Japanese company.

The island nation, which relies on its waters for fishing and tourism has deployed around 400 sea booms, physical barriers made of metal or plastic, to slow the spread of the oil.

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The vessel currently rests on Pointe d'Esny and a salvage team had been sent to work on it but were evacuated when cracks were found on the ship's hull

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Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth has appealed to France for help as the island nation does not have the skills or expertise to re-float the vessel

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In a statement, Greenpeace Africa's climate and energy manager, Happy Khambule, said: "Thousands of species around the pristine lagoons of Blue Bay, Pointe d'Esny and Mahebourg are at risk of drowning in a sea of pollution, with dire consequences for Mauritius' economy, food security and health.'

Mauritius outlined a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan nearly a decade ago but it has proved inadequate and provided only enough equipment for a spill of 'less than 10 metric tonnes'. 

The environment ministry has blamed rough seas and bad weather for their failed attempts to stabilise the ship and prevent the spread of the oil.

The Mauritius government has said that police are now investigating the spill. 

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Divers in the oil-covered waters off the south-east coast of Mauritius try to contain the oil using a boom - a physical barrier or either metal or plastic

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Around 400 sea booms have been positioned around the MV Wakashio to try and prevent the oil from spreading out any further