DAKAR, Nov 30 (Reuters) – Senegalese officials are working quickly to stop a potential oil spill after water got into the engine room of the oil tanker Mersin, which flies the Panamanian flag, near the coast of Dakar. This was reported by the port authority on Sunday.

The tanker is owned by Mersin Shipping Inc. from Turkey and is managed by Besiktas Shipping, according to information from the London Stock Exchange Group.

The incident, which caused the tanker to send out a distress signal, happened overnight from November 27 to 28. This led to the activation of tugboats and specialized teams from Senegal's navy and maritime authority, stated the port authority.

No further details about the incident have been released.

All crew members were safely rescued, and there were no reports of injuries.

The port authority mentioned, "We are working to stabilize the vessel, prevent oil leaks, and reduce environmental risks."

They added that immediate actions taken include stopping the leak, transferring the fuel cargo, and placing an anti-pollution boom around the tanker as a safety measure.

Pictures of the vessel shared online showed its back end near the waterline, which might mean it is either fully loaded or taking on water. Reuters has not independently verified these images.