By Maritime Bulletin
French cable layer vessel Chamarel grounded and was still burning unattended as of afternoon August 9. Locals reported two loud explosions heard, and around 1430 LT vessel ran aground on a sand bar. France Telecom-Orange said the cause of fire still unknown. There were 56 crew on board, all safe. The vessel was returning from a mission to repair the Sat3/WASC/Safe submarine cable which connects Portugal and Spain to nine West African countries, and then to India and Malaysia.