Oil residues were discovered Monday on the beach of Solaro, in the south-east of Corsica, after the probable wild degassing of a ship.
Questioned by Europe 1, the prefect of Haute-Corse announced that two tons of hydrocarbons had already been evacuated.
Three boats are suspected, the investigation should start.
Oil pollution off Corsica.
While a huge slick of oil drifts off Corsica, probably after degassing, oil pellets were spotted on the beach of Solaro, in the south-east of the island, said on Monday. , the mayor of the commune at France Bleu RCFM.
It is no longer a question of oil slicks, but of fragmented pollution.
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Two tons evacuated
The first residues were discovered Sunday evening in Solaro, between Aléria and Porto-Vecchio.
For now, these are the only traces discovered since Saturday.
The oil residues washed up on the beaches of Solaro in the late afternoon.
The prefect of Haute-Corse is currently on site with elected officials and emergency services.
"It is not an oil spill, we are not at all in phenomena of this magnitude", affirms François Ravier, the prefect of Haute-Corse, to Europe 1. "We are on a maximum width of 50 cm of hydrocarbon discharges, currently concentrated over a hundred meters, and which is moreover already largely removed, "he continues. "At least 40 firefighters and 20 gendarmes are working to clean up the beach. Two tons have been evacuated."
Two tons on the beaches and four tons of oil have been recovered at sea since Saturday. Three boats are also suspected. They have arrived in their home port, and the procedure will therefore be able to start. Water and hydrocarbon analyzes are also underway and land reconnaissance is being carried out by gendarmes and firefighters to find out if other areas are affected. A drone will also be deployed in the afternoon. Obviously, access to beaches and swimming are prohibited.