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A cargo ship carrying sacks of gravel is reported to have sunk in the breakwater of Mataró, Barcelona, causing a fuel oil spill of approximately 1,000 litres.

According to Generalitat de Catalunya, the Government Institution of Catalonia, the cause of the incident is currently unknown. The unnamed ship sank about two miles south-east of the breakwater of Mataró causing a fuel oil spill that is said to extend over an area of 550 square metres.

No casualties were reported and the two ship's crew were rescued unharmed.

As a result of the spill, the Operational Coordination Centre of Catalonia (CECAT) has begun the emergency phase of the Special Emergency Plan for the accidental pollution of marine waters of Catalonia (CAMCAT).

Salvage teams arrived at the spill zone by barge, helicopter and two tugboats to disperse the oil slick and the Red Cross mobilized an additional three ships.

The owner of the stricken ship also sent a boat to re-float the vessel and the fire service sent a helicopter to carry out an assessment from the air.