Danger of oil spill near Gibraltar after tanker collides with another ship

A large oil tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas has collided with another vessel near Gibraltar and is in danger of sinking, DPA reports.

Local authorities fear an oil spill if the 178 meter long ship does indeed sink. The government of the British overseas territory, located in the southernmost part of Spain, said the ship was carrying 183 tons of fuel oil, 250 tons of diesel and 27 tons of lubricating oil.

The vessel, flying the flag of Tuvalu, had a slight list and its bow had already reached the seabed, about 200 meters from Catalan Bay beach, on the east side of Gibraltar.

The crew of 24 remains on board. However, there is no danger to their lives. They can be evacuated from ships nearby at any time, authorities said. Divers will assess the damage to the tanker later today.