French authorities appeared powerless to head off the threat of pollution as strong winds delayed plans for a salvage operation. The ship is about 200 to 250 feet below the surface. The sinking of the tanker comes less than a year after the aging Maltese-registered oil tanker Erika sank, polluting large stretches of France's coast. There is fierce criticism of the oil company giants Shell and Exxon for chartering a tanker described as a floating dustbin, and also of the Italian shipping authority that awarded it a certificate of seaworthiness. It was in such poor condition that it had been detained in port on three prior occasions by Dutch authorities.
Sunken tanker leaks toxic chemicals off coast of France.
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