A large Philippines-registered cargo vessel stuck on a reef in French Polynesia has been dislodged.
Officials say a French navy ship, Bougainville, succeeded in pulling the 132-metre long ship Thorco Lineage away from the reef of Raroia in the Tuamotus but the cable snapped.
The cargo vessel carrying 20,000 tonnes of zinc and fuel had been damaged, but there were no reports of pollution
The Ports Authority in Papeete said it had sent a tug to Raroia to help continue with the salvage operation.
The Aito Nui 1 has equipment to fight a possible oil spill.
The Thorco Lineage was on a trip from the United States to Australia when it developed engine problems last week.