A TANKER carrying 20,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas caught fire in Chinese waters east of Hong Kong yesterday, risking a huge explosion, authorities said, though the wind drove flames away from the ship's cargo area.

THE tanker that broke in half and sank apparently took most of its cargo of toxic fuel oil to the frigid bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, where it may solidify and pose less danger to fishing grounds and scenic beaches along northwestern Spain.

AN environmental time bomb was ticking in the Atlantic last night after the sinking of the stricken Prestige oil tanker 500 miles from Mizen Head.

Portuguese Navy divers were today preparing to brave a river’s treacherous current and feel their way around metal objects detected by sonar that are believed to be sunken vehicles holding at least 60 bodies from a bridge collapse.