Mauritius has declared an environmental emergency over an oil spill caused by a Japanese-owned ship that was stranded off the coast days ago. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth announced the development as aerial images show a large amount of slick spreading in the turquoise waters near areas that the government termed ‘very sensitive’. The spill is creating an ecological disaster, endangering corals, fish and other marine life around the Indian Ocean island, officials and environmentalists say.

The MV Wakashio, owned by the Nagashiki Shipping Company, struck the reef on Mauritius’ southeast coast on July 25. According to sources, the carrier is believed to have over 4000 tons of fuel aboard. Cracks appeared in the ship’s hull, which resulted in oil spillage that now represents a danger for nearly 1.3 million residents of the Indian ocean island.

“We are in a situation of environmental crisis,” the environment minister of Mauritius, Kavy Ramano, has said. The prime minister appealed to France for urgent assistance as oil spilled into the island nation’s protected waters. France has dispatched a naval vessel and military aircraft to Mauritius, where desperate efforts are underway to contain the oil spill polluting the Indian ocean ecosystems. “Our country doesn’t have the skills and expertise to refloat stranded ships,” Jugnauth said. “Bad weather has made it impossible to act, and I worry what could happen when the weather deteriorates.” A statement by Nagashiki Shipping Co. Ltd. said that fuel was being airlifted by helicopter but poor weather was making matters worse.

Jugnauth shared a photo of the vessel, the MV Wakashio, tilted precariously. “Sea rough beyond the reefs with swells. Ventures in the open seas are not advised,” according to the Mauritius Meteorological Services.

The Island of Mauritius is a popular tourist destination well known for its white sands, warm waters, unique wildlife and coral reef ecosystems. It is popular with tourists who last year contributed 63 billion Mauritius rupees ($1.6 billion) to the economy.