The premier of Rennell, in Solomon Islands, is urging the owner of a ship that's spilled more than a hundred tonnes of oil to help the local people affected by the disaster.
The cargo ship, Solomon Trader, ran aground while loading bauxite during a cyclone on the 5th of February.
Since then it's spilled about 100 tonnes of oil into a marine protected area, creating a slick that's spread about six kilometres around the wreckage.
The premier, Colin Singamoana, says investigations are underway into what caused the disaster.
But he told Jamie Tahana he understands it came about through negligence.
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The MV Solomon Trader stuck on a reef off of Rennell Island in the Solomon Islands is leaking oil into the ocean. February 2019. Photo: Australian High Commission in Solomon Islands - DFAT