Corsica: cargo ship in the protected area ran aground

Off the coast of the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, a cargo ship got into trouble during the night of Sunday. The water police reported that the seven-man crew of "Rhodanus" had previously missed access to the strait in the early hours of the morning on the Strait of Bonifacio.

The authorities said that the 90 meter long vessel loaded with several tons of steel coils should not have been able to navigate within the protected area. The captain of the cargo ship had not responded to the warnings of the Corsican authorities by radio for nearly an hour during his misguided navigation. Investigators are on board to clarify the background of the incident.

According to the information, the ship ran on sand and so far has not lost any oil, but precautionary measures have been taken to combat possible pollution. In addition, experts were called in to organize the transport of the ship flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda.

The 80,000 hectare marine reserve in the Strait of Bonifacio between Corsica and the Italian Mediterranean island of Sardinia is a paradise for divers and holidaymakers. In 2011, the strait was recognized by the International Maritime Organization of the United Nations as a particularly endangered marine area.