Three airlifted after fire on cargo ship off Kent coast
- Published
Three men have been airlifted to hospital after a fire broke out on a cargo ship in the English Channel, off the Kent coast.
RNLI lifeboats from Dover and Ramsgate were called to the scene, 18 miles (29km) off Dover, on Friday afternoon.
Dover Coastguard said the stricken 92m (302ft) vessel, with a crew of 14, had lost power and dropped anchor.
The trio were flown by RAF helicopter to Margate and taken to hospital after inhaling smoke from the fire.
The Turkish cargo vessel Eren Turgut contacted the coastguard at 1630 GMT to report the three men needed medical assistance.
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."