Member State on the territory where the transfer is carried out. In this case, the Customs authorities shall mark as appropriate the Inter-States Transit Declaration leaflets and the transit notice. Article 21 In case the sealing is damaged in the course of transportation for reasons beyond the control of the transporter, the latter shall, without any delay, ask for a statement to that effect in the Member State where the means of transportation happens to be at that time, from the Customs authorities if it is in the vicinity or, where that is not possible, from any other competent authority. The authority contacted shall then apply new sealings if possible. Report of the damage of sealing and the statement made to that effect and of the application of new sealing, as the case may be, shall then be made on the Inter-States Road Transit Declaration leaflets and the transit notice in the possession of the transporter. Article 22 In case of an accident necessitating the transfer of goods to another means of transport, the provisions of Article 20 shall apply. If there is no Customs authorities in the vicinity, any other competent authority may intervene in accordance with the provisions of Article 21. Article 23 In case of imminent danger necessitating immediate off-loading, partial or total, the transporter may use his discretion but shall report the steps taken on all the Inter-States Road Transit Declaration leaflets and the transit notice in his possession. The provisions of Article 21 shall apply in this case. Article 24 When, as a result of an accident or other incidents which occurred during transportation, the transporter is not in a position to respect the time limit envisaged in Article 14, the competent authority shall indicate this on the Inter-States Road Transit Declaration leaflets and the transit notices in the possession of the transporter. Article 25 The office of destination shall indicate on the Inter-States Road Transit Declaration leaflets whatever verification was carried out. Leaflet No 3 shall be sent back to the office of departure in accordance with the procedure stipulated in Article 6. Article 26 1. The Inter-States Road Transit operation may be terminated, in exceptional cases, at an office other than the one specified in the Inter-States Road Transit Declaration. The office in question then becomes the office of destination and the reason for the change shall be indicated on leaflets Nos 2, 3 and 4 of the declaration. 1. The principal obligee and guarantor shall be free from their obligation vis-à-vis Customs authorities, when transit operation is completed with a discharge in the Customs Office of departure. CHAPTER IV SECURITY