English Channel Poisoned with Chemicals

The "Ece" tanker carrying chemicals has sunk in the English Channel at 90 km of the French port of Cherbourg. 10,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid have leaked into water.

The "Ece" got a side hole below its waterline in a collision with the freighter "General Grot-Rowecki". 22 crew members were rescued and safely taken ashore. The Maltese-registered freighter was only slightly damaged.

Initially, there had been plans to tow the "Ece" to Le Havre. But all attempts to keep the distressed tanker afloat had failed. The authorities say the phosphoric acid should not pose a serious danger to marine life in the region, as the acid may get fully diluted in the seawater.

Authorities had implemented an emergency plan and imposed a one-mile exclusion zone. The British Maritime and Coastguard Agency proposes to fly a plane over the wreck area to assess the scope of possible pollution.

Despite all the measures taken, experts are certain that a serious damage has been inflicted on the ecology of the English Channel.