No Leaks Found as Tunisia’s Navy Partners with Other Nations to Mitigate Environmental Impact
Tunisia’s neighboring countries have stepped forward to assist in containing potential environmental damage after a fuel tanker sank off the nation’s coast. The vessel, which was carrying between 750 and 1,000 tonnes of fuel, sank near Gabes after requesting permission to enter Tunisian waters due to severe weather conditions.
The ship, identified as Xelo, had been traveling from Equatorial Guinea to Malta when it encountered difficulties. The Tunisian navy promptly rescued all seven crew members aboard, and after being examined at a local hospital, they were taken to a hotel. The Xelo, measuring 58 meters in length and 9 meters in width, posed a significant risk to the environment with its large fuel load.
However, divers who inspected the ship reported no leaks on Sunday, providing some relief. Tunisia’s defense ministry confirmed that the nation would collaborate with neighboring countries offering their help to mitigate any environmental consequences, and the outlook remains cautiously positive.
