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Rescue as ship sinks off Lizard Rescue as ship sinks off Lizard
(20 minutes later)
A British container ship has sunk in the English Channel 40 to 50 miles (65 to 80km) off the Lizard in Cornwall.A British container ship has sunk in the English Channel 40 to 50 miles (65 to 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.All 26 crew of the MSC Napoli had abandoned ship and as yet there are no reports of injuries.
The 62,000-tonne vessel had taken in water from a hole in its side on the French side of the channel.The 62,000-tonne vessel had taken in water from a hole in its side on the French side of the channel.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency tug, the Anglian Princess, plus two helicopters from RNAS Culdrose, are heading towards the vessel.A Maritime and Coastguard Agency tug, the Anglian Princess, plus two helicopters from RNAS Culdrose, are heading towards the vessel.
We are trying to get to these guys as soon as we can Coastguard spokesman
French coastguards are co-ordinating the rescue.French coastguards are co-ordinating the rescue.
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.As well as the hole on the vessel's side, the ship also suffered a flooded engine.
We are trying to get to these guys as soon as we can Coastguard spokesman
Two French helicopters and a tug have been sent to the scene.Two French helicopters and a tug have been sent to the scene.
The Napoli is carrying about 75 containers, but coastguards say they do not know what is in them.The Napoli is carrying about 75 containers, but coastguards say they do not know what is in them.
'Dangerous cargo'
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.
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 9 (more than 50mph), with 8m to 9m (26ft to 30ft) swells.
A spokesman said: "All 26 crew have abandoned to the lifeboat.A spokesman said: "All 26 crew have abandoned to the lifeboat.
"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."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.
"We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers and if they pose a threat to the coastline." "We are obviously concerned about what is in the containers and if they pose a threat to the coastline.
The spokesman said: "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. "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.""There are no communications with the lifeboat but they appear to all be on board. At the moment the lifeboat is heading north."