French authorities are working to contain an oil spill off the Atlantic Coast after an Italian tanker sank following a fire.

French and British rescue teams saved all 27 people aboard the Grande America after it sank Tuesday, according to a French government statement.

Images released Thursday by the French navy showed flames and plumes of black smoke spewing from the ship as it listed sharply.

The regional maritime authority says the ship has since leaked oil over an area of about 10 kilometers (6 miles) long and one kilometer wide.

A French cleanup ship was expected in the area Thursday. France has also reached out to the European Maritime Security Agency for help.

The ship sank about 330 kilometers (200 miles) west of the French city of La Rochelle.