PARIS — French authorities are working to contain a fuel spill off the Atlantic coast after an Italian container ship 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 said the ship has since leaked fuel over an area of about 6 miles long by 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) 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 200 miles west of the French city of La Rochelle.