An oil spill from an Iranian tanker that sank off China has spread into four

separate slicks covering an area of 100 sq km (39 sq miles), say Chinese

authorities.
The Sanchi was carrying 136,000 tons of ultra-light crude oil when it collided with
another vessel 260km off Shanghai on 6 January.
It burned for a week before exploding and sinking on Sunday.
The crew of 32 are all confirmed or presumed dead.
Earlier satellite imagery had shown just two oil slicks.
But the latest figures from China's State Oceanic Administration, which monitored
the area on Wednesday, said there were now four, ranging in size from 48 sq km to
5.5 sq km.
Both the crude oil that was carried on the Sanchi and the fuel that was used to
power the vessel could cause devastating damage to marine life.
Condensate oil, the ultra-light crude oil carried on the ship, differs from the
thick black oil slicks usually associated with a spill.
It is toxic, low in density and considerably more explosive than regular crude.
Most condensates are also colourless and generate a toxic underwater slick that is
almost invisible from the surface.
China's Ministry of Transport had on Wednesday announced that a salvage team had
located the vessel at a depth of 115m (377ft). It said it was preparing to send
underwater robots to explore the area.
The ministry added that a marine patrol ship had arrived at the site, and crew had
begun assessing ways to detect leaks and stop the flow of oil.