A Tunisian Ro-Ro ferry and a Cypriot container ship collided in French waters on Sunday, October 7 (local time).
The containership CSL Virginia was anchored north of Cap Corse on the island of Corsica when the ferry Ulysse struck it while the latter was sailing from Genoa to Tunis.
No injuries were reported though CSL Virginia sustained a hull breach several metres long while Ulysse's bow was damaged.
The collision also caused a fuel spill that stretched for up to four kilometres towards the mainland coasts of France and Italy.
Ships from the French Navy and the Italian Coast Guard have been sent in to help contain the spill.