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Rescue as ship sinks off Lizard Rescue as ship sinks off Lizard
(10 minutes later)
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. Twenty-six mariners have been rescued from a damaged British container ship in the English Channel 50 miles (80km) off the Lizard in Cornwall.
The crew of the MSC Napoli abandoned ship after it got into difficulties. As yet there are no reports of injuries. The crew of the MSC Napoli abandoned ship after it got into difficulties. There are no reports of injuries.
The 62,000-tonne vessel took in water from a hole in its side as it made its way through the channel. The 62,000-tonne vessel took in water through a hole in its side as it made its way through the Channel.
Two helicopters from RNAS Culdrose airlifted all the crew in the French co-ordinated rescue.Two helicopters from RNAS Culdrose airlifted all the crew in the French co-ordinated rescue.
We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers Coastguard spokesmanWe 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.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.
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.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 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".
The ship has a 1m by 0.5m (3.2ft by 1.6ft) hole in its starboard side but is listing to port. The ship has a 1m by 0.5m (about 3ft by 1ft 6in) hole in its starboard side, but is listing to port.
Falmouth coastguards say that may mean she will not sink, and that salvage negotiations were under way.Falmouth coastguards say that may mean she will not sink, and that salvage negotiations were under way.
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'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 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.
A Coastguard spokesperson said: "We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers and if they pose a threat to the coastline."A Coastguard spokesperson said: "We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers and if they pose a threat to the coastline."
Coastguards said the weather on scene was south-westerly severe Gale Force 9 (more than 50mph), with 8m to 9m (26ft to 30ft) swells. Coastguards said the weather on scene was south-westerly severe gale force nine (more than 50mph), with 8m to 9m (26ft to 30ft) swells.
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. The 16-year-old vessel is registered to London, and was last inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in May 2005 when officials said it met safety standards.