Storm threat to collision tanker

IGNORING radio warnings, guardships and safety buoys, a tanker loaded with oil and kerosene slammed into a wreck in one of the world's busiest sea lanes, damaging its hull and threatening Europe's coastline with yet another environmental disaster.

The 800 foot Vicky already lost some fuel after the crash in the Channel and was last night listing slightly in Belgian territorial waters, 18 miles off the port of Ostend.

Even though initial damage to the 43,000 ton Turkish ship was limited, an impending storm could make matters worse, said provincial governor Paul Breyne.