Greek authorities are battling to contain pollution in the Saronic Gulf; just south of Athens, after a small tanker sank in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Agia Zoni II tanker was carrying 2,570 tons of fuel. Small oil spills have been spotted in the marine area between Kynosouras and Selinia, of Salamis island.
The oil has already reached and has started to coat some of the beaches of Salamis.
Two rows of floating dams have been laid to contain the spillage, while divers are trying to seal the crack and prevent more fuel escaping to the sea.
It is not yet established what caused the sinking of the vessel, although preliminary reports suggest that somehow the engine room was flooded with water.
Two crew members that were aboard the ship when it sank, were safely rescued.
The tanker’s captain and engineer were arrested on charges of negligence, but later released on bail.
An investigation into the sinking is currently underway by the Central Port Authority of Piraeus.
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