Fierce storms batter British Isles

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2005

LONDON (AFP) — A ferry ran aground, trucks toppled over, river banks burst, people were evacuated from flooded houses and uprooted trees blocked highways as gale force winds swept Britain and Ireland, emergency services said.

A ferry bound for Larne in Northern Ireland ran aground on a Scottish beach at Cairnryan, Loch Ryan.

There were no injuries among the 43 passengers and 57 crew, who remained on board due to hazardous conditions.

A helicopter and rescue boat stood by to evacuate them when conditions improved and a tug was en route to pull the ferry clear.

Nearly 70,000 households in the Irish Republic were without electricity Saturday after uprooted trees brought down power lines, the Electricity Supply Board said Saturday.

Gales in...