Eleven days later, and less than a mile from the South-Eastern coast of Mauritius, the 300m Panamanian flagged bulk carrier ploughed into an ancient barrier reef system, estimated to be over 100,000 years old. The incident would prove to be catastrophic, with implications far beyond the shores of the tiny island nation.

After entering dangerously shallow waters on July 25, 2020, disaster struck the Wakashio. Despite calm conditions and clear visibility, the vessel, operated by Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) smashed into a section of the country’s Eastern Barrier Reef, amid a network of highly protected international nature reserves, home to some of the rarest species on Earth.

For 13 days the world watched anxiously before currents, wind and tide began to pull the stricken ship apart, spilling 1,000 tonnes of toxic bunker fuel into the sea. The bizarre response that followed, handled by a group of expert international oil spill consultants, left many of the island’s residents, media and politicians puzzled and increasingly suspicious.

Amidst months of shifting stories, the true extent of the disaster continues to unfold and has shaken the country’s political system to its core, whilst raising some difficult questions of the global shipping industry.