ôMSC Napoliö container looting continues
Despite local police blocking roads and attempting to close the beach, hundreds of people continue to rummage through cargo that has drifted ashore from the stricken 'MSC Napoli' in Branscombe Bay, off England's Devon coast, the BBC reports.
About 103 containers are thought to have fallen off the ship, rather than 200 as first thought, and images have shown people carrying off bundles of diapers, barrels and even BMW motorcycles.
Authorities have indicated that they will be seeking special powers to force people to return items although there are reports that goods are already appearing on internet auction sites.
Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is an offense for people to remove items from a wreck if they conceal or keep possession of cargo and refuse to surrender it.
'There are discussions with the police and Robin Middleton, the secretary of state's representative for Maritime, Salvage and Intervention, to bring in special enforcement powers to require people to give up recovered items from the beach. People could also be required to leave the area,' said Mark Rodaway, the acting Receiver of Wreck.
London-based Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd., managers of the 'MSC Napoli,' said that work will commence today to transfer fuel from the beached vessel to another ship and that two barges will arrive at the scene later in the week to discharge the onboard containers.