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A dark streak in turquoise waters triggered a state of emergency in Mauritius, when a Japanese bulk carrier ran aground on a reef, a mile off the Mauritian coastline. At least 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil spewed into pristine and protected waters, endangering delicate marine life and presenting unprecedented challenges to a country where coastal tourism is a big income earner.

So what events led up to this ecological disaster? What impact has it had on the environment and the local economy? And how does the journey to recovery look like for Mauritius in the aftermath of the MV Wakashio oil spill?