An unexpected explosion at the stricken Sanchi oil tanker worsened conditions for carrying out rescue and firefighting operations by Chinese teams.

Hadi Haghshenas of the Iran Ports and Maritime Organisation said firefighting operations began at 6 a.m. local time but was hampered by yet another explosion at the rear of the tanker when the Chinese assessment teams were measuring the tanker’s conditions for search teams to enter the vessel.

The tanker is ablaze at its front and body and firefighting operations have resumed in the worst conditions.

Rescue teams are battling with huge waves of a tumultuous sea to render firefighting services.

Sanchi tanker which was carrying 970,000 barrels of gas condensate to South Korea collided with a Chinese balk freighter on Saturday evening. The tanker is now 190 miles off Japan’s Okinawa.

A Japanese fireboat is dispatched to the spot to help firefighting operations.

Source: SHANA