Dutch tanker spills 2,000 liters (528 gallons) of diesel in Rhine and canal, German police say

A damaged Dutch tanker spilled about 2,000 liters (528 gallons) of diesel as it traveled up the Rhine River into Germany, police said Thursday.

The crew of the vessel, which was carrying 1,100 tons of diesel, noticed it had sprung a leak on Wednesday as it navigated a lock near Wesel, western Germany, where a canal splits off from the river.

Divers found a 10-centimeter (4-inch) tear in the ship's hull, which they sealed. The crew was able to prevent further leakage by pumping some of the ship's load into undamaged tanks.

Police in Duisburg said initial investigations suggested the vessel was gashed, apparently by having touched the riverbed, somewhere between the port of Rotterdam and Wesel.

Authorities planned to move the tanker to a nearby harbor and pump out the remaining oil.