'Two dead' after trawler capsizes

A massive rescue operation was under way today after a French trawler was believed to have capsized, with at least two of its crew feared dead.

Two British coastguard helicopters, two RNLI lifeboats and various other vessels were scouring the water about 15 miles south of Lizard Point in Cornwall, UK.

Falmouth Coastguard picked up a distress beacon at 12.38pm from a French trawler, quickly followed by a warning call from a second French vessel.

Martin Collins, from Britain's Coastguard Agency, told Sky News: “The helicopter has located one life raft but unfortunately that was empty.

“I can confirm that the RAF Culdrose aircraft actually lifted two bodies from the water – at this stage they are believed to be deceased.”