The Tunisian defence ministry said countries have offered to help prevent damage to the environment after a merchant ship carrying up to one thousand tonnes of oil sank off the coast of Gabes on Friday. All seven crew members onboard were rescued.

The ship was heading from Equatorial Guinea to Malta.

The vessel carrying between 750 and one thousand tonnes of fuel sent a distress call seven miles away from Gabes to which the Tunisian navy responded, officials said.

Local media said that Italy had offered to help and that it is expected to send a naval vessel specialised in dealing with marine disasters.

On Saturday, Tunisian authorities opened an investigation into the ship's sinking, which the environment ministry said was caused by bad weather.

The authorities also said barriers would be set up to limit the spread of the fuel and barricade the ship, before suctioning the spillage.

The coast of the southern city of Gabes has suffered major pollution for years, with environmental organisations saying industrial plants in the area have been dumping waste directly into the sea.
-Reuters