As a result of the relentless efforts of the mission partners (relief), the flames have been reduced somewhat, for the time being, the navy said in a statement.

The fire, which started last Thursday, was believed to be extinguished on Sunday, but resumed on Monday due to strong winds in the area.

As the fire reignites, there are fears of a new oil spill in the Indian Ocean, after the one that took place in Mauritius last August.

However, according to the experts of the rescue teams, for now there is no indication of a hydrocarbon leak from the New Diamond , which also carries 1,700 tons of diesel in its warehouses to fuel its machines.

An Indian Coast Guard plane was supposed to carry reserves of chemical powder on Tuesday to be dispersed by helicopters over the tanker, the Sri Lankan navy added.

On Monday, six rescue experts and eleven professionals specialized in disaster management, sent by the Greek owners of the ship, arrived at the place where the ship is located, about 55 kilometers from a coastal village, Sangamankanda Point, he added.

With the Panamanian flag, the New Diamond is owned by a Liberian-registered company, Porto Emporios Shipping Ing., But it is managed by the Greek shipowner New Shippping Limited, according to the Sri Lankan Navy.

Temperatures remain too high at the stern of the tanker to allow getting on board, said the Dutch company Smit Salvage, specialized in ship rescue, hired by the owners.

Once the situation is considered stabilized and safe, we will be able to inspect the ship, its parent company, SMIT, based in The Hague, told AFP, according to which it is expected to tow it to a safer place and transfer the cargo to other tankers.

A total of 19 ships, from Sri Lanka and India, are involved in the fire fighting operations.