SHIPS SUNK IN HARBOUR; RESCUE OPERATIONS.




Initials PBS/V/PW/PC



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A GERMAN FREIGHTER AND A SMALL FRENCH TANKER SANK IN ROTTERDAM'S NEWSWATERWAY TODAY (SATURDAY) AFTER A COLLISION LAST NIGHT. ALL WHO WERE ABOARD THE SHIPS WERE SAFE, EXCEPT A CARGO OF CATTLE.

RESCUERS STRUGGLED THIS MORNING TO RESCUE THE CATTLE, AND SOME WERE TOWED TO SAFETY BEHIND SMALL BOATS.

THE SHIPS WERE THE FOUR THOUSAND TON GERMAN FREIGHTER HORNLAND, AND THE FRENCH TANKER PRESIDENT PIERRE ANGOT, OF TWO THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED TONS.

SALVAGE EXPERTS TODAY MADE AN EXAMINATION OF THE TWO SHIPS ??? THE HORNLAND'S CREW AND 12 PASSENGERS, AND THE PRESIDENT PIERRE ANGOT'S 24 CREW WERE ALL TAKEN OFF THE SHIPS SAFELY.