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Two pensioners died and over 70 have been injured after dangerous chemicals spilled into Poole harbour after two ferries collided.

The couple, in their eighties, were found by a Danish lifeboat crew, half a mile from the incident- which happened at 9:10am this morning.

The pensioners had leapt off the sandbanks ferry, with 28 others after it started to fill with water from a hole that had been formed by the collision.

They are thought to have been killed by a poisonous chemical, released during the collision. The toxic substance, known as Lindane, is highly poisonous and has contaminated the area- meaning the beach will be closed to all the public for 48 hours.

Fishermen have been informed by the Environmental Agency not to proceed fishing for 2-3 weeks as the surrounding sealife has been destroyed.

Torben Lee, 58, the Environmental Agency Pollution Consultant stated in a press release that chemical boons are being installed around the area, which is controlling the spread of the spillage. They have also instructed pedestrians to avoid the beach for at least 48 hours.

The couple, whose identities are unknown, are thought to be the only fatalities, with Chief Ferry Loader of The Sandbanks Ferry Company, Nick Gosney, 72, said the other passengers have only suffered “cuts and bruises”. Although, Gosney, an employee of the company for 60 years stated that over 70 people have been hospitalized to ensure they have not been harmed by the toxic substance.

The spillage occurred when the ferry collided with the Eltaurus cargo ship. The 20 trucks, which the cargo ship was carrying, were knocked over as water leaked through the openings that were created by the accident. One of the trucks contained the deadly chemical.

The incident was a disastrous start for the ship, which was heading for Cherbourg in France, for what was its first day of function. Bridget Verdan, a spokesperson for Tall-Bay Seaways, the company that owns the ship, commented that the event was “unfortunate” and “very, very sad.”

When questioned on the people who jumped off the Sandbanks ferry, Mrs Verdan said:

“People just panicked and jumped into the water. I’m sure if they didn’t panic they would have been okay.”

Police were on the scene this morning investigating further and still looking for injured parties.