Authorities in Tunisia stated that a ship carrying diesel fuel from Egypt ran into difficulties off Tunisia, posing a risk of leaking and causing an environmental catastrophe.
The environment ministry stated that Xelo, a merchant ship carrying around 750 tonnes diesel fuel, requested entry into Tunisian waters Friday evening because of bad weather.
The Equatorial Guiana-flagged ship, which was headed from Egypt’s port of Damietta, to Malta, began to take in water around four miles offshore in Tunisias southern-estern Gulf of Gabes. The engine room was then engulfed.
The ministry reported that seven members of the crew were evacuated from the ship by Tunisian authorities.
The environment ministry stated that the defense, interior, transport, and customs ministries were working together to prevent a marine environmental catastrophe in the region and minimize its impact.
We were unable to reach a spokesperson for more details.
According to the environment ministry it was alarming that the ships were in such bad shape and had prepared an urgent national plan to prevent a disaster.