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Russian cargo ship runs aground off Cornwall coast Russian cargo ship runs aground off Cornwall coast
(about 1 hour later)
A 16,000-tonne Russian cargo ship has run aground off a beach in Cornwall.A 16,000-tonne Russian cargo ship has run aground off a beach in Cornwall.
The Kuzma Minin grounded off Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth at about 05:40 GMT.The Kuzma Minin grounded off Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth at about 05:40 GMT.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has declared a major incident and said the 590ft (180m) ship had a list of about five degrees.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has declared a major incident and said the 590ft (180m) ship had a list of about five degrees.
There is no cargo on the vessel, which has 18 Russian crew on board. The MCA said tugs will be attached to the ship to help refloat it by mid-morning. There is no cargo on the vessel, which has 18 Russian crew on board. The MCA said tugs will be attached to the ship to help refloat it by midday.
The Met Office had issued a yellow warning of severe weather for the area, with 65mph winds forecast. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of severe weather for the area, with 65mph winds forecast.
Falmouth harbourmaster Mark Sansom said the coastguard was in the process of getting a pilot on the stricken ship by helicopter to assess the situation. Three harbour tugs and a lifeboat are attempting to attach a line to the vessel so it can be towed off the beach when the tide starts to rise.
"Obviously the weather conditions are very poor but we are expecting them to improve and we'll be looking for that opportunity to refloat the vessel," he said. Latest news and stories from Cornwall
Marc Thomas, senior coastal operations manager, said the coastguard was having to work "really hard to manoeuvre the vessels" amid windy conditions.
Mr Thomas said: "They're obviously in danger too. It's a real tricky, delicate operation they're going through at the moment."
There are currently no plans to remove the crews members from the vessel before the refloating operation.
Falmouth harbourmaster Mark Sansom added: "Obviously the weather conditions are very poor but we are expecting them to improve and we'll be looking for that opportunity to refloat the vessel."
The coastguard said there had been no reports of any pollution and an area around the ship had been cordoned off.The coastguard said there had been no reports of any pollution and an area around the ship had been cordoned off.
At the sceneAt the scene
By Naomi Kennedy, BBC NewsBy Naomi Kennedy, BBC News
The cargo ship is so close to the shore it seems almost as if you could walk to it or touch it. Hundreds of people have been prompted to take a look.The cargo ship is so close to the shore it seems almost as if you could walk to it or touch it. Hundreds of people have been prompted to take a look.
The rain is relentless, the winds about 52mph but the weather makes little difference at low tide. The rain is relentless, the wind's about 52mph but the weather makes little difference at low tide.
Behind closed doors, those who declared this a major incident will be watching and waiting for high tide.Behind closed doors, those who declared this a major incident will be watching and waiting for high tide.
A helicopter has circled above, taking time to find the safest position to winch down a pilot to work with the 18 Russian crew.A helicopter has circled above, taking time to find the safest position to winch down a pilot to work with the 18 Russian crew.
One witness, Megan Hocking, said she was "thinking of everybody on the tugs and lifeboat this morning - terrible conditions for a rescue mission".One witness, Megan Hocking, said she was "thinking of everybody on the tugs and lifeboat this morning - terrible conditions for a rescue mission".
Falmouth resident Jess Hughes described the morning weather on the Cornish coast as "extreme" and said it had been "horrendously windy" on Monday night.Falmouth resident Jess Hughes described the morning weather on the Cornish coast as "extreme" and said it had been "horrendously windy" on Monday night.
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"As you come over the crest of the hill there's just this huge ship where there shouldn't be," Ms Hughes said."As you come over the crest of the hill there's just this huge ship where there shouldn't be," Ms Hughes said.
Gyllyngvase Beach is a sandy tourist beach about 10 minutes from Falmouth town centre.Gyllyngvase Beach is a sandy tourist beach about 10 minutes from Falmouth town centre.
Are you in the area? What are conditions like at the moment? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in the area? What are conditions like at the moment? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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