Italian tanker runs aground

2012-03-10 16:39

Rome - An empty Italian tanker ran aground on rocks in bad weather off the Sicilian coast on Saturday, but all 19 crew members were rescued, the coastguard said.

The 127-metre-long Gelso M was heading for the Sicilian port of Augusta, home of an oil refinery and chemical complex, to take on fuel.

The coastguard said the tanker, listed as an oil/chemical tanker, was not carrying cargo at the time of the accident.

The ship had taken on water in its engine room and plans were being made to move it from the rocks, the coastguard said.

- Reuters