Tarek Amara

TUNIS, (Reuters) – Several countries offer to aid Tunisia in preventing environmental damage after a commercial ship with up to a thousand tons of oil sank near Gabes.

On Friday, the ship that was heading to Malta from Equatorial Guinea sank. The Tunisian navy saved all seven crewmembers.

Officials stated that the ship was carrying between 775 tonnes and 1 000 tonnes of fuel. The distress call sent seven miles out from Gabes and to which Tunisian navy responded.

According to the defence ministry, the Tunisian navy would work together with any country that expressed its desire to assist in reducing the damage to the environment.

According to local media, Italy offered assistance and is likely to send a vessel to assist in the aftermath of marine disasters.

Tunisian authorities launched an investigation on Saturday into the sinking of the ship. The environment ministry claimed that it was due to bad weather.

According to the company, barriers will be built to stop the spread of fuel. They also cordon off ships and then suction any spillage.

For years, Gabes’ southern coast has experienced major pollution. Environment groups claim that waste from industrial plants have been dumped directly into the water.