The crew of a chemical tanker were rescued last night after a collision with a bulk carrier in the English Channel.

The vessel, Ece, was carrying 10,000 tonnes of phosphoric acid, when it hit the carrier 30 miles north-west of Guernsey. The alarm was raised at 0220, and St Peter Port lifeboat and a coastguard helicopter from Lee-on-Solent attended the scene. Ten crew were evacuated by the lifeboat, while the other 12 were picked up by the helicopter. None were injured.

The vessels had collided outside the traffic separation scheme, and were thought to have been on a parallel course. The Maltese-registered carrier, General Grot-Rowecki, is believed to only be slightly damaged.

Coastguard spokesman Fred Caygill said the 8,000 tonne tanker was ‘significantly damaged’, but dismissed fears that the phosphoric acid could pose a pollution threat.

A tug will attempt to salvage the stricken tanker, which is listing heavily to port and in danger of sinking. The French authorities are co-ordinating the rescue, and will assess the damage and spillage.