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Grounded tanker leaking oil near Mexico coast

The liquid bulk vessel Los Llanitos ran aground in 2015 during Hurricane Patricia and is currently leaking oil, despite reports that all petroleum products were pumped out in 2016, according to local authorities.

   A bulk ship grounded at Punta Graham, Mexico in 2015 has been found to be leaking oil, according to local authorities.
   An inspection by authorities from Mexico’s environmental agency Profepa has found evidence that the vessel Los Llanitos is leaking oil, despite reports that all petroleum products were removed from the ship in 2016.
   The vessel ran aground in October 2015 during Hurricane Patricia and sustained severe structural damage. The vessel was subsequently inspected for oil and other environmental hazards, and was concluded to be free to disassemble onsite.
   Profepa has ordered an absorption and containment boom to be placed around the vessel. The agency said the oil appeared to be remnants of petroleum products remaining in the ship’s tanks, which were supposedly pumped out following the accident. A salvage firm removed 11,000 liters of oil and over 132,000 gallons of diesel, according to a 2016 report.
   However, no sign of oil contamination has yet to be found in nearby beaches.