Channel collision: 22 lives are saved

Tuesday 31st January 2006, 12:00AM GMT.

A ‘TEXTBOOK’ rescue saved the lives of 22 seamen following a collision today between two cargo ships 28 miles north-west of Guernsey.

The major sea and air operation was launched just after 2 am after the collision, which left the 11,300-ton chemical tanker Ece listing badly.

Of the 22 aboard, 12 were airlifted to safety and ten were plucked from the deck by the crew of the St Peter Port lifeboat.

Serious damage was caused to the Marshall Islands-registered carrier sparking fears that its cargo of 10,000 tons of phosphoric acid could cause widespread pollution.

A salvage operation was still under way at 10 am this morning in a bid to stop the Ece from sinking and the spillage is not believed to pose a serious pollution risk.

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