Oil Tanker Runs Aground At French Port

Radio Australia

A Singapore-registered oil tanker carrying 43,000 tonnes of fuel and diesel oil has run aground in the entrance to the French Channel port of Dunkirk.

The Faith 4, which was transporting 18,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 25,000 tonnes of diesel fuel, got stuck on a sandbar in the port's East entrance after it experienced rudder problems.

The tanker had not issued an emergency call for help, and no pollution had yet escaped.

The 27 crew members were still aboard the ship.

Four port tugboats and one deep-sea tugboat were sent to the area.