(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) PARIS, March 14 (KUNA) -- France has sent four anti-pollution vessels to try to contain a 10-km-by-1km oil slick that developed due to the accidental sinking of an Italian cargo 200 miles off the west coast on Tuesday, officials and media sources said on Thursday.
Environment Minister Francois de Rugy said on French television that the oil slick could hit the coast and that all must be done to prepare for that eventuality.
The Grande Amerika vessel caught fire on Sunday and sank 48 hours later with around 2,000 vehicles and over 300 containers, 45 of which contain hazardous materials, including a number carrying hydrochloric and sulphuric acids.
All 27 crew members were rescued but fire-fighters were unable to control the blaze on board.
Now, the immediate concern is for the 2,200 tonnes of heavy fuel that was on board to power the cargo and which has now seeped into the Atlantic Ocean.
The oil slick could hit the French coast somewhere between Bordeaux and Brest but more likely to come ashore in the northern Brittany zone.
"There is a risk, so we must do everything to reduce it and to reduce the impact of pollution of our coasts," Environment Minister Franأ§ois de Rugy said on BFM TV channel.
Teams are now being mobilised to tackle the oil when it hits land, which could be within 72 hours, France Info radio reported.
The Grande Amerika was originally on a cargo run between Germany and Morocco. (end) jk.mb
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