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Russian cargo ship grounded off Falmouth beach in Cornwall

A Russian cargo ship has run aground off a beach in Cornwall.

The vessel, thought to be a 16,000 tonne ship called the Kuzma Minin, became beached at around 5.40am on Tuesday morning.

According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the 180m bulk carrier dragged anchor and grounded close to Falmouth Beach. Eighteen Russian crew are on board.

There is no cargo and no report of pollution.

The ship has grounded near Falmouth Beach
The ship has grounded near Falmouth Beach

Falmouth resident Jess Hughes described this morning’s weather on the Cornish coast as “extreme”.

“As you come over the crest of the hill there’s just this huge ship where there shouldn’t be,” she said.

“Last night it was horrendously windy and now there’s gravel up by the road so it was a good high tide,” she added.

Graham Parker, 43, who owns a local student and holiday letting company in Falmouth, said the coastguard had attempted to rescue the crew from the tanker but feared the weather was too rough.

Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter account of @NDK72 of lifeboats coming to the aid of the Kuzma Minin. (Twitter)
Handout photo taken with permission from the Twitter account of @NDK72 of lifeboats coming to the aid of the Kuzma Minin. (Twitter)
The 16,000-tonne Russian cargo ship ran aground off Gyllyngvase Beach in Cornwall. (Twitter)
The 16,000-tonne Russian cargo ship ran aground off Gyllyngvase Beach in Cornwall. (Twitter)

“The lifeboat crew were out there in minutes to see how they can help. It’s amazing considering most are volunteers and they rely on donations,” he said.

An HM Coastguard spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard is co-ordinating assistance to a carrier which dragged her anchor and grounded on the western side of the port entrance between Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches.

“She has a list of 5 degrees but there is no report of any pollution.

“Tugs are on their way to the vessel and a lifeboat is standing by at the scene. The Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team have cordoned off an area around the ship.

“Tugs will be attached to the vessel and as the tide rises, the plan is to re-float the vessel.”

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