17 July 2012 Last updated at 11:29 ET

French yacht sinks off Sark and six people are rescued

Members of the crew of the yacht Balkan which sank off Sark on 17 July 2012 The crew of the yacht were taken to St Peter Port harbour to be checked over

Six people have been rescued from the sea after a yacht sank in the English Channel shortly before 14:00 BST.

The French boat Balkan was taking part in the Tour des Ports de la Manche event when it sank north-east of Sark.

The Brecqhou Lass and Brecqhou Chief vessels carried out a rescue, assisted by a French helicopter from Cherbourg.

Guernsey Harbours confirmed that the six people, believed to be five men and one woman, were taken to St Peter Port in Guernsey to be checked over.

Captain Peter Gill, Guernsey's harbourmaster, confirmed the yacht had completely sunk and there was debris from the vessel in the water.

The crew arrived at St Peter Port at 15:15 BST, where an ambulance crew were waiting for them.

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