All hands on deck: French and Italian crews battle to halt oil slick after cargo ships collide

Rescue boats approach two cargo ships after they collided off the Mediterranean island of Corsica on Sunday.

French and Italian crews are battling to contain a spreading oil spill after the Tunisian freighter (front) rammed into the Cyprus-based CSL Virginia, which was anchored about 20 miles off the northern tip of the French island.

The ship’s hull was pierced during the crash and at least one fuel tank began leaking into the nearby Cap Corse and Agriate marine reserve. Up to 200 cubic metres of oil has escaped and now stretches for 12 miles. A boom has been deployed to contain the slick .