Trio airlifted to hospital after ship fire

Three sailors were airlifted to hospital tonight after suffering smoke inhalation from a fire on board their ship.

The trio were evacuated from the Turkish cargo vessel Eren Turgut by an RAF rescue helicopter in the English Channel off Kent.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the sailors landed at Margate, Kent, and were being taken to hospital by ambulance.

The ship contacted Dover Coastguard at 4.30pm this afternoon to report that the three men needed medical assistance due to smoke.

The vessel was tonight anchored in the Dover Strait traffic separation scheme and is 18 miles east-north-east of Dover, Kent, an MCA spokeswoman said.

Tony Evans, Dover Coastguard watch manager said: "A small fire on board the vessel has been dealt with and there is now no fire on board. However the vessel now only has emergency power and no propulsion. The crew is attempting to repair the defect."