Cargo ship runs aground off Brittany coast

December 16, 2011

A Maltese-registered cargo ship TK Bremen, ran aground on Kerminihy beach at Erdeven, on the coast of Brittany in western France, after high winds and torrential rain hit northern France.

The 19 crew members were airlifted to safety by helicopter.

Authorities are attempting to empty the stricken ship's tanks which contain 220 tonnes of fuel.

Winter storm Joachim has battered France's western seaboard since yesterday.