Since sunrise on Sunday, maritime resources are once again in the area to continue the recovery of hydrocarbons, of which between three and four tonnes were recovered on Saturday.

Helicopters and planes were also dispatched to monitor the situation. 

The pollution at sea off Corsica continued Sunday to move away from the coast by drifting towards the south of the island while nearly four tons of oil have already been recovered in the area, said the maritime prefecture.

"The pollution was located this morning about ten kilometers from the coast, further south, north of the Gulf of Porto Vecchio", said the captain of the frigate Christine Ribbe, spokesperson for the maritime prefecture of the Mediterranean, based in Toulon , by specifying that the pollution continued "currently to move away".

Remain "cautious" and "vigilant"

Since sunrise, maritime resources are once again in the area to continue the recovery of hydrocarbons, of which between three and four tonnes were recovered on Saturday, she stressed. Helicopters and planes were also dispatched to follow the evolution of the situation, identify and locate the slicks and readjust the device, she added, specifying that the pollution was very fragmented and required to go to retrieve it "a everywhere".

"One part emulsifies, another sinks and another is diluted, all this means that we see a lot less on the water. We therefore continue to work but we are much more confident today, while remaining careful and vigilant, ”summarized Christine Ribbe.

The presence of heavy hydrocarbons, the dissolution of which is difficult, and the extent of the two oil slicks, had prompted the authorities to launch a coastal protection plan on Saturday with action on the coasts which remains maintained.

Pollution probably due to illegal degassing of a ship

Spotted Friday during a military air exercise off Solenzara, in eastern Corsica, this oil pollution, probably due to the illegal degassing of a ship, arrived very quickly on Saturday up to 800 meters from the coast of this island popular with tourists before moving away.

An investigation was opened by the Marseille prosecutor's office responsible for maritime pollution cases on the French Mediterranean coast.

It was entrusted to the maritime gendarmerie which will have to try in particular to find the boat at the origin of the wild degassing.

At this stage, three ships present in an enlarged area around the pollution will have to be checked, Colonel Jean-Guillaume Remy, commander of the Mediterranean group, told AFP.