2 Feb 2006

Marshall Islands-registered tanker sinks in Channel

9:18 am on 2 February 2006

A chemical tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag has sunk in the Channel between France and Britain after colliding with another vessel.

The Ece was the only ship to suffer major damage when it crashed into a Polish cargo vessel and all 22 crew members of both ships were airlifted to safety.

The 8,000 tonne Ece has a cargo of phosphoric acid, which the British coastguard says does not pose a pollution hazard.