Photos: Oil Spills After Tunisian Ferry T-Bones Anchored Containership in Mediterranean

Photo: Maritime Prefecture – Mediterranean

Update: Oil Slick Spreads

Authorities in France and Italy are responding to a major oil slick after a  collided with an anchored containership in the Mediterranean Sea off the island of Corsica.

The collision occurred Sunday morning when the Tunisian roll-on/roll-off ferry Ulysse collided broadside with the Cypriot registered containership CLS Virginia approximately 17 miles (28 km) north of Cape Corsica. 

The collision caused a breach of the containership’s hull measuring several meters and resulting in the release of bunker fuel.

An oil slick measuring 20 km long by several hundred meters wide has been observed moving to the northwest, moving away from Corsica, according to France’s Maritime Prefecture for the Mediterranean.

Photos show the bow of the ferry embedded in the starboard side of the containership, which is not loaded with any containers.

Both French and Italian assets have been dispatched to assist with the cleanup and response.

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