WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two seamen died and 19 were missing on Saturday after a chemical tanker carrying 11,000 tons of ethanol exploded and sank 50 miles off the Virginia coast, the U.S. Coast Guard (news - web sites) said.
The Bow Mariner, traveling from New York to Houston, Texas, caught fire and exploded at roughly 6 p.m. off Chincoteague, northern Virginia, and rescuers launched a massive search for survivors, said Lt. Bobby Dye.
"We're being hampered by the dark and of course the chemicals in the water, but the sea conditions are not too bad," he said, adding that six crew were safe.
The crew of the Singapore-flagged vessel were believed to be Filipino and Greek.
Industrial ethanol is used as a solvent in the manufacture of varnishes and perfumes; as a preservative; in the preparation of essences and flavorings; in many medicines and drugs; and as a fuel and gasoline additive.
Dye said the environmental impact of the accident was very much on the Coast Guard's mind, but the first priority was trying to save the missing seamen. Two helicopters, a plane and a number of vessels were involved in the search.