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Rescue as ship sinks off Lizard Rescue as ship sinks off Lizard
(40 minutes later)
A British container ship has sunk in the English Channel almost 50 miles (80km) off the Lizard in Cornwall. Twenty-six crew-members have been rescued from a British container ship sinking in the English Channel 50 miles (80km) off the Lizard in Cornwall.
All 26 crew of the MSC Napoli had abandoned ship and as yet there are no reports of injuries. The crew of the MSC Napoli abandoned ship after it got into difficulties. As yet there are no reports of injuries.
The 62,000-tonne vessel had taken in water from a hole in its side as it made its way through the channel. The 62,000-tonne vessel took in water from a hole in its side as it made its way through the channel.
A helicopter from RNAS Culdrose has begun winching the crew to safety. French and British tugs and helicopters are heading to the scene. Two helicopters from RNAS Culdrose airlifted all the crew in the French co-ordinated rescue.
Two other helicopters from Culdrose, and two from France are involved in the French co-ordinated rescue. We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers Coastguard spokesman
The first RNAS helicopter took about 45 minutes to airlift 13 of the crew before heading back to Cornwall.
A French tug is due to be the first rescue boat to arrive at the scene at about 1530 GMT.A French tug is due to be the first rescue boat to arrive at the scene at about 1530 GMT.
We are trying to get to these guys as soon as we can Coastguard spokesman
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency tug, the Anglian Princess, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel the Largs Bay are both due on scene by 1630 GMT.A Maritime and Coastguard Agency tug, the Anglian Princess, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel the Largs Bay are both due on scene by 1630 GMT.
Falmouth Coastguard received a distress call from the Napoli at about 1030 GMT.
The mixed nationality crew includes two young British cadets, as well as crew from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Turkey, India and the Philippines.
The 275m (900ft) long ship is owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company, which said it was "dealing with an emergency".The 275m (900ft) long ship is owned by Mediterranean Shipping Company, which said it was "dealing with an emergency".
As well as the hole on the vessel's side, the ship also suffered a flooded engine. The ship has a 1m by 0.5m (3.2ft by 1.6ft) hole in its starboard side but is listing to port.
Two French helicopters and a tug have been sent to the scene. Falmouth coastguards say that may mean she will not sink, and that salvage negotiations were under way.
The Napoli is carrying about 75 containers, but coastguards say they do not know what is in them. The Napoli's cargo has yet to be confirmedAs well as the hole on the vessel's side, the ship also suffered a flooded engine.
The Napoli is carrying about 75 containers, but coastguards say they do not know what is in them. The vessel can carry more than 4,000 containers.
The European Maritime and Safety Agency says the vessel is listed as carrying "dangerous cargo". It is trying to obtain the vessel's manifest to clarify.The European Maritime and Safety Agency says the vessel is listed as carrying "dangerous cargo". It is trying to obtain the vessel's manifest to clarify.
The Napoli's cargo has yet to be confirmedCoastguards said the weather on scene was south-westerly severe Gale Force 9 (more than 50mph), with 8m to 9m (26ft to 30ft) swells. A Coastguard spokesperson said: "We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers and if they pose a threat to the coastline."
A spokesman said: "All 26 crew have abandoned to the lifeboat. Coastguards said the weather on scene was south-westerly severe Gale Force 9 (more than 50mph), with 8m to 9m (26ft to 30ft) swells.
"We know there is a hole in one side of the ship and the engine room is flooded, but we do not know how that came about. The 16-year-old vessel is registered to London, and was last seen by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in May 2005 when officials said it met safety standards.
"We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers and if they pose a threat to the coastline.
"We are trying to get to these guys as soon as we can. The helicopter cannot winch them up yet due to the condition of the seas.
"There are no communications with the lifeboat but they appear to all be on board. At the moment the lifeboat is heading north."