Two ships collide in Germany leaving large oil slick

Firefighters in northern Germany say more than 400,000 litres of diesel fuel have leaked into the Elbe River after two ships collided there.

Peter Braun of Hamburg firefighters says more than 100 people are working to stem the spread of the oil slick that runs for kilometres down the river. The slick poses no threat to people but authorities say it is too early to tell how it will affect the environment.

Police say they do not yet know what caused the ships to collide early today. An investigation is ongoing.