A tanker carrying industrial ethanol has sunk, after exploding off the East Coast of the United States. At least two of the 27 crew were killed by the blast, and the US Coast Guard is looking for 19 others still missing. The explosion happened as the Bow Mariner was 80km (50 miles) off the Virginia coast on Saturday evening, but the cause is still not known. Six crew members have been taken to hospital, where they are reported to be in a critical condition. The 171-metre (570-foot) Bow Mariner was registered in Singapore and was travelling from New York to Houston, with 24 Filipino and three Greek crew members. It put out a mayday distress call, shortly after 1800 (2300GMT), when it was off Chincoteague in northern Virginia. "When the rescue divers got on the scene the fuel tanker was on fire, sinking and there was people in the water," said Lt Chris Shaffer of Ocean City (Maryland) Emergency Services. "We're being hampered by the dark and of course the chemicals in the water, but the sea conditions are not too bad," said Coast Guard Lt Bobby Dye. Industrial ethanol is used in the manufacture of varnishes and perfumes, and as an additive in fuels and petrol. A Coast Guard official said the environmental aspects of the sinking needed vital consideration, but added that the first priority was trying to save any survivors. Two rescue divers have also been taken to hospital with minor injuries. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Rescue personnel wheel a victim of a tanker explosion into the Norfolk Sentara General Hospital emergency room in Norfolk, Va., Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004. (AP Photo/Jason Hirshfeld)