This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/oil-tanker-cargo-ship-collision-crash-ships-english-channel-france-uk-casualties-environment-latest-a7817901.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
English Channel incident: Oil tanker and large cargo ship collide between France and UK English Channel incident: Oil tanker and large cargo ship collide between France and UK
(2 months later)
An oil tanker and cargo ship have collided in the English Channel.An oil tanker and cargo ship have collided in the English Channel.
The Seafrontier tanker, carrying 38,000 tonnes of petrol to Guatemala, collided with the Huayan Endeavor, which was on its way from the Netherlands to Nigeria.The Seafrontier tanker, carrying 38,000 tonnes of petrol to Guatemala, collided with the Huayan Endeavor, which was on its way from the Netherlands to Nigeria.
Both ships are Hong King-flagged and were carrying 49 crew members from China and India at the time.Both ships are Hong King-flagged and were carrying 49 crew members from China and India at the time.
The collision happed shortly after 2am in the Dover Strait, around 15 miles from Dover and 20 miles from Dunkirk.The collision happed shortly after 2am in the Dover Strait, around 15 miles from Dover and 20 miles from Dunkirk.
“Although both vessels have been damaged, there is no water ingress and no pollution,” a spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.“Although both vessels have been damaged, there is no water ingress and no pollution,” a spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.
“A French tug is on scene with the vessels. There are no injuries and all of the crew are accounted for.”“A French tug is on scene with the vessels. There are no injuries and all of the crew are accounted for.”
A British Coastguard helicopter and lifeboats from Dover and Ramsgate were sent to the scene, in case of a possible evacuation, but have since left.A British Coastguard helicopter and lifeboats from Dover and Ramsgate were sent to the scene, in case of a possible evacuation, but have since left.
A spokesperson for the RNLI said the Seafrontier suffered "a hole above the water line and damage to the superstructure", with photos showing extensive damage to the outside of the ship.A spokesperson for the RNLI said the Seafrontier suffered "a hole above the water line and damage to the superstructure", with photos showing extensive damage to the outside of the ship.
"It was fortunate there were no casualties," he added."It was fortunate there were no casualties," he added.
The UK’s Channel Navigation Information Service is working to ensure “safe passage” of vessels through the Dover Strait, which is the busiest shipping lane in the world.The UK’s Channel Navigation Information Service is working to ensure “safe passage” of vessels through the Dover Strait, which is the busiest shipping lane in the world.
The MCA’s counter-pollution team and surveyors are working on the incident and a Government representative is monitoring the situation.The MCA’s counter-pollution team and surveyors are working on the incident and a Government representative is monitoring the situation.
The Seafrontier is expected be towed to a Belgian or Dutch port to make repairs, while the Huayan Endeavor could dock in the UK.The Seafrontier is expected be towed to a Belgian or Dutch port to make repairs, while the Huayan Endeavor could dock in the UK.
An investigation into the incident, which came during favourable conditions with moderate winds and calm seas, is underway.An investigation into the incident, which came during favourable conditions with moderate winds and calm seas, is underway.
Latest iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iOS 11 news live – follow all the updates here.