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Cargo ship 'sinking' after North Sea collision Cargo ship feared lost after collision off Dutch coast
(34 minutes later)
A cargo ship is sinking in the North Sea after colliding with a container ship, Dutch coastguard officials say. Dutch coastguards are mounting a major rescue operation in the North Sea after a cargo ship is reported to have sunk after a collision.
The accident is reported to have taken place around 100km (60 miles) off the coast of Rotterdam in an important shipping lane. The accident took place around 100km (60 miles) off the coast of Rotterdam in an important shipping lane.
The cargo ship, the Baltic Ace, is reported to be sailing under a Bahamas flag. It is unclear if the crew of around 23 people are still on board. A coastguard spokesman said helicopters were winching the 24 crew members of the Baltic Ace to safety.
A rescue operation involving two boats and a helicopter is under way. Three lifeboats and two helicopters are assisting the rescue.
Dutch media are reporting that two naval frigates are also steaming towards the scene.
The Baltic Ace was sailing under a Bahamas flag. It was transporting cars from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Finland when it collided with the Cyprus-registered container ship, the Corvus J, sailing from Grangemouth in Scotland to the Belgian port of Antwerp.
There is no word on the condition of the Cyrus J.
The shipping lane where the accident happened is one of the busiest in the North Sea, close to the entrance to Rotterdam port, which is Europe's busiest.