The fire continued to blaze during 25 May and by late afternoon containers were dropping into the sea. The Sri Lanka Maritime Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) declared a Tier II oil spill event from on board bunkers as the blaze got worse.[29] India dispatched firefighting and pollution control Coast Guard vessels, a tug and a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft to help containment measures and fishermen were asked to stay clear of the ship.[30][31]