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| MSC Napoli explosives triggered | MSC Napoli explosives triggered |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Explosives have been detonated for a second day running in the attempt to split a beached container ship in two off the east Devon coast. | Explosives have been detonated for a second day running in the attempt to split a beached container ship in two off the east Devon coast. |
| Smoke engulfed the rear of the MSC Napoli as the explosions were triggered at 1404 BST. | Smoke engulfed the rear of the MSC Napoli as the explosions were triggered at 1404 BST. |
| Eyewitnesses reported a loud bang and smoke on the vessel, which is now "hanging on by a thread". | |
| The operation is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Ministry of Defence. | The operation is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Ministry of Defence. |
| The aim is to break the stern section away from the remainder of the vessel along the line of a huge crack running round the hull. | The aim is to break the stern section away from the remainder of the vessel along the line of a huge crack running round the hull. |
| It could be hanging on by a thread Paul Coley, MCA | |
| On Tuesday, cutting charges successfully split the Napoli's deck plates and in the evening tugs tried to pull it apart at high tide without success. | On Tuesday, cutting charges successfully split the Napoli's deck plates and in the evening tugs tried to pull it apart at high tide without success. |
| The Napoli has been stranded off Branscombe since it was damaged in a storm in January. | The Napoli has been stranded off Branscombe since it was damaged in a storm in January. |
| Shortly after the explosions an MCA spokesman said first impressions were that the Napoli had not separated, but an assessment team had gone on board including government representative Robin Middleton. | |
| All charges went off successfully. | |
| Paul Coley added: "It is still holding together, but very much weaker. It could be hanging on by a thread." | |
| Exclusion zone | |
| Once the forward section of the vessel is separated the plan is to tow it into deeper water and anchor it. | |
| Divers will assess its structure and sites will be identified where it could be towed for recycling - this could be either in Europe or the UK. | |
| The stern section, including the accommodation block, will be left where it is and will be cut up and recycled. That operation could take about a month. | |
| Mr Coley said the whole operation to salvage the Napoli was a "major disaster averted". | |
| Police enforced the exclusion zone for people's safety | Police enforced the exclusion zone for people's safety |
| An extended exclusion zone on the shore and cliffs at Branscombe was enforced ahead of the explosion, amid fears of debris damage. | |
| The MSC Napoli had been en route from Antwerp to South Africa when her 26 crew members abandoned ship and were flown to safety. | The MSC Napoli had been en route from Antwerp to South Africa when her 26 crew members abandoned ship and were flown to safety. |
| The ship was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again on Thursday. | The ship was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again on Thursday. |
| Contractors appointed by the vessel's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on beaches along the World Heritage Jurassic coast. | Contractors appointed by the vessel's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on beaches along the World Heritage Jurassic coast. |