---

Approximately 300 tonnes of marine fuel has been spilled off the West Cork coast, according to Ireland's Department of Transport.

Two Russian warships are believed to have been responsible for the incident, probably during a refuelling operation, when the spill occurred.

The incident took place 50 miles (80 km) south of Fastnet Lighthouse, Ireland's most south-westerly point, and the oil slick has spread over an area measuring four miles by five miles, the department said.

The spill did not take place in Irish waters but was within the zone around the Irish coastline being monitored for pollution by the Irish authorities.

Commenting on the bunker spill, a spokeswoman for the Department of Transport denied reports of a collision or that the vessels were nuclear.

It is not clear when the leak took place, but the alarm was raised on Saturday morning when the Irish Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre received satellite images indicating a pollution incident had taken place. An Irish Coast Guard helicopter was then dispatched to investigate the matter.

"The Irish Coast Guard are in contact with the Russian authorities and are monitoring the spill which is breaking up," said the Department of Transport spokeswoman.

Based on the weather conditions, it was not expected that any oil would reach the Irish coastline, she said, but the situation was being monitored closely.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Oisin Coghlan called for a full investigation by the authorities.

"I hope there will be full co-operation from the Russian authorities into all investigations by the Irish Coast Guard and other agencies," said Coghlan.