Irish sailing vessel sinking off France, crew safe

An Irish government-owned sailing ship has started sinking off the French coast in the Bay of Biscay and 25 people on board have been safely evacuated, Ireland's Defence Forces said.

The Asgard II is a sail training vessel belonging to the Department of Defence but not part of the Irish navy, the Defence Forces said.

"The ship has water up to its deck but hasn't sunk yet," a Defence Forces spokesman said.

The five crew and 20 trainees on board, who included one British and one Italian citizen, were rescued by the French coastguard, the spokesman said.

"I can confirm that all are safe and well," he said.