Pakistan carrier headed to Ebola-hit Sierra Leone at risk: Burney
Says crew members of MV Malakand are at risk of catching the virus, which could spread in Pakistan
KARACHI:
Human rights activist Ansar Burney has appealed the government to stop a Pakistani ship from landing and staying in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where an emergency has been declared following the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
A Pakistani bulk carrier ship, MV Malakand, under PNSC flag, is travelling to the Port of Sierra Leon, West Africa, and is anticipated to be anchored in next two or three days, Burney said in a statement on Monday.
While expressing deep grief and sorrow over thousands of deaths in the West African countries due to Ebola, the Ansar Burney Trust International chairman said that 25 crew members’ lives were at risk, adding that it would not be possible to refrain from spreading the virus in Pakistan.
Ebola has claimed around 1,000 lives in West African countries, including Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared the health emergency' in the region.
Burney requested President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the foreign office and the Ministry of Ports & Shipping to take immediate steps in this regard and issue directions to divert MV Malakand, which is currently in the open sea, to the nearest safe port for offloading.
Human rights activist Ansar Burney has appealed the government to stop a Pakistani ship from landing and staying in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where an emergency has been declared following the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
A Pakistani bulk carrier ship, MV Malakand, under PNSC flag, is travelling to the Port of Sierra Leon, West Africa, and is anticipated to be anchored in next two or three days, Burney said in a statement on Monday.
While expressing deep grief and sorrow over thousands of deaths in the West African countries due to Ebola, the Ansar Burney Trust International chairman said that 25 crew members’ lives were at risk, adding that it would not be possible to refrain from spreading the virus in Pakistan.
Ebola has claimed around 1,000 lives in West African countries, including Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared the health emergency' in the region.
Burney requested President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the foreign office and the Ministry of Ports & Shipping to take immediate steps in this regard and issue directions to divert MV Malakand, which is currently in the open sea, to the nearest safe port for offloading.