Sunken Ship Leaking Fuel Off Italian Coast

Italian environmental officials scrambled Sunday to contain leaking fuel from a cargo ship that hit rocks in a storm and sank off the northwestern coast.The Georgia-registered bulk cement carrier Margaret dragged its anchor in high winds, hit a pier and sank in shallow water off the Bay of La Spezia. All 13 crewmembers were rescued safely, the BBC reported. Environment Minister Altero Matteoli ordered ships and helicopters to the scene to contain more than 3,000 gallons of fuel aboard the 2,700-ton ship. Bad weather was battering much of Italy Sunday, with heavy seas and snowfall that knocked out Milan's tram system. Widespread flooding was reported in Venice. Forecasters said the water level was expected to drop, but warned the weather would turn for the worse again Tuesday.