Palm oil from a sinking barge, which collided with a rock, spilled into the sea affecting coastal area between Nagapattinam and Vailankanni on Wednesday, police said.
The barge "World Bridge, carrying over 210 tonnes of palm oil, sunk near Nagapattinam port after colliding with a rock due to rough tides.
A ship carrying over 4,000 tonnes of crude palm oil from Malaysia had arrived at the port on Monday. The palm oil is being unloaded through barges from the ship.
The barge was proceeding to the port when it collided with the rock due to rough sea and high tides, following which it started sinking. 10 persons, including crew and workers, onboard, however, swam to safety, police said.
The palm oil from the sinking barge spilled on the water surface, causing oil sheen in over a five km radius affecting coastal area between Nagapattinam and Vailankanni.
Efforts to retrieve the barge are on, the source said.