Australia launches inquiry into major oil spill

Australia has called for an inquiry into last Sunday's major oil spill off the country's west coast. The Thai-based company which operates the oil field has welcomed the call.

The blaze started last Sunday as workers poured mud into a hole that had been leaking an estimated 400 barrels of oil a day since August. The oil slick from the rig has stretched across thousands of miles.

Indonesia claims that thousands of dead fish and clumps of oil have been found drifting near its coastline. Officials will monitor the rig over the next couple of days to ensure it remains stable.