Rennes - The broken-up Maltese-registered tanker Erika, carrying up to 25,000 tonnes of viscous fuel oil, sank in stormy Atlantic seas off north-western France yesterday, the Cross maritime rescue centre said.
The tanker's stern, which contained most of the oil, sank as it was being towed farther out to sea to try avoid pollution on Brittany's tourist coast. The bow had disappeared earlier beneath the waves. Helicopters rescued the 26 crew on Sunday.