Corsica scrambles to clean up oil slicks drifting towards coast

The French island of Corsica has launched emergency protocols to contain two oil slicks that were detected 10 kilometres offshore.

This handout picture released on June 12, 2021 by the French Navy shows an oil slick, containing heavy hydrocarbons, off the French Mediterranean island of Corsica. AFP - -

Authorities said pollution containing heavy hydrocarbons spanning 19 nautical miles was spotted drifting towards the coast.

Photographs by French navy aircraft, and water samples taken by a local customs vessel confirmed the presence of toxic chemicals.

The Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture said the pollution was probably the result of “degassing”, an operation carried out by oil tankers to ventilate their tanks. 

Deux nappes d'hydrocarbures repérées au large des côtes de Solenzara en Corse

👉 La piste d'un "dégazage" d'un navire est à l'étude

🗨 "Il faut se préparer à une pollution sur les plages" selon la porte-parole du préfet maritime pic.twitter.com/SNFSnO3gby

— BFMTV (@BFMTV) June 12, 2021

Natural dilution 'impossible'

Because of the size and nature of the chemicals, “natural dilution” was not possible, it said, adding that anti-pollution equipment was necessary.

"The pollution is getting closer to the coast," navy captain Christine Ribbe told BFMTV. “Unfortunately this pollution was already quite close when it was detected."

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In a tweet, Ecology Minister Barbara Pompili said the local population had been urged not to touch any cakes of pollution that may be washed up on Corsican beaches, but to instead inform authorities.

Specialised anti-pollution vessels and personnel were being sent to the area Saturday to carry out clean-up operations.