Ships collide in English Channel

LONDON - The crew of a chemical tanker has been rescued by helicopter and lifeboat after an overnight collision with another vessel in the Channel between France and Britain, a British coastguard spokeswoman said.

The 8,131 tonne chemical tanker Ece sustained "significant damage" and was leaking its cargo of phosphoric acid after colliding with the bulk carrier General Grot-Rowecki, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

It said the acid was not a pollution threat and would dissolve in the sea.

The bulk carrier escaped with minor damage.

The collision took place halfway between the island of Guernsey and the British coast.

A British coastguard helicopter airlifted 12 of the Ece's crew, with a lifeboat picking up the remaining 10.

All 22 were taken to Guernsey, where they received treatment for minor injuries, shock and hypothermia. There were no serious injuries, the coastguard spokeswoman said.

French maritime authorities were now assessing the stricken chemical tanker, which has a "significant list to port", the coastguard said.

A French naval tug was at the scene and was being assisted by French inspectors flown out by helicopter.

Michael Mulford of the RAF Aeronautical Rescue Center at Kinloss in Scotland told BBC television that investigators would want to find out why the ships collided despite good visibility at the time.

"Our helicopter pilots are telling us these were ideal weather conditions," he said.

- REUTERS