A rescue operation got under way in the English Channel early this morning after a collision between two ships.
The alarm was raised at around 2.20am when a chemical tanker and a cargo ship hit each other around 30 miles north-west of the island of Guernsey.
The chemical tanker ECE lists in the Channel between France and Britain, after an overnight collision with the bulk carrier General Grot-Rowecki.
The 8,000-tonne chemical tanker Eceappeared to have been damaged and was leaking after colliding with the bulk carrier General Grot-Roweckiabout halfway between Guernsey and the British coast.
RAF Search and Rescue teams and coastguards joined their French counterparts in successfully airlifting 22 crew members of both vessels to safety.
The crews abandoned their boats after the incident and donned lifejackets as they waited for assistance. All crew members were rescued by helicopter and lifeboats.
It is understood they have been taken to hospital in Guernsey.
Flight Sgt Tim Dickinson of the RAF told the BBC: "It was a textbook rescue operation but we were very fortunate because the sea conditions were benign. The rescue helicopter picked up 12 casualties while the lifeboat attended to the other 10.
"As far am I aware no one has been seriously injured."
It is understood that the chemical tanker was carrying phosphoric acid, which has sparked pollution fears.