Australian PM Kevin Rudd has voiced his anger over the grounding of a Chinese ship in the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Rudd said it was “outrageous” the ship had apparently strayed 12km (7.5 miles) off course through the marine park, where it is now leaking oil.

He said the situation remained serious and vowed to bring those responsible for the disaster to account.

Officials say the ship is badly damaged but stable and that the threat of oil slicks has been largely contained.

Mr Rudd said there was “no greater natural asset for Australia than the Great Barrier Reef” and that he took any threat to the marine park “fundamentally seriously”.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8604250.stm