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Two merchant vessels collide in Bay of Biscay Two merchant vessels collide in Bay of Biscay
(about 1 hour later)
Two merchant vessels have collided in the Bay of Biscay - 250 miles (402km) south west of Land's End. The crew of a cargo ship has been rescued after a collision with another vessel in the Bay of Biscay, about 250 miles (402km) south west of Land's End.
Falmouth Coastguard is co-ordinating a rescue with the Spanish Coastguard. The Florence and the chemical tanker Afrodite collided at about 03:30 GMT, Falmouth Coastguard said.
There is no indication yet whether the vessels are sinking or how many people are on board. The seven crew of the Florence abandoned ship, taking to two life rafts, before being rescued by a container ship, the Ocean Titan.
The BBC understands there is a heavy swell in the bay. Storm force winds battered parts of the UK on Thursday. The crew of the Afrodite were able to remain on board their vessel.
Collision admission
After the the collision, an emergency beacon went off, informing Falmouth Coastguard the vessel was sinking.
The Cornish station contacted the nearest ship, which was the Afrodite, which admitted there had been a collision and it was involved, Falmouth Coastguard said.
The Afrodite attempted to deploy a rescue craft but was unsuccessful because of the sea swell.
Falmouth Coastguard helped co-ordinate the rescue operation with Spanish counterparts to rescue the crew of the Florence, a mix of Russians, Polish and Ukrainians.
After the Ocean Titan picked up the two life rafts, all of the Florence's crew were reported as being safe and well, Falmouth Coastguard said.
Spanish coastguards also sent a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft to the scene.
The Afrodite was not reported as taking on water.