This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20616997
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Cargo ship sinks after collision off Dutch coast | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Dutch coastguards are mounting a major rescue operation in the North Sea after a cargo ship sank following a collision. | |
The accident took place off the coast of Belgium, after the Baltic Ace sailed from Zeebrugge. | |
Some of the 24 crew members of the Baltic Ace have been rescued, but 11 are still missing in freezing waters. | |
Two lifeboats and three helicopters are assisting the rescue, and a Dutch naval frigates is also at the scene. | |
High waves and strong wind are hampering rescue operations, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defence. | High waves and strong wind are hampering rescue operations, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defence. |
The Baltic Ace was sailing under a Bahamas flag. It was transporting cars from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Kotka in Finland when it collided with the Cyprus-registered container ship, the Corvus J, sailing from Grangemouth in Scotland to the Belgian port of Antwerp. | |
The Corvus J is said to be badly damaged but not in danger of sinking. All 12 crew members are still on board. | |
The Dutch coastguard said the cause of the collision, which happened at 1815GMT, was not yet known. | |
"We have found life rafts, and the people in them are being picked up by helicopters," said spokesman Peter Verburg. | |
The shipping lane where the accident happened is one of the busiest in the North Sea, about 100km (60 miles) from the port of Rotterdam port, Europe's busiest. | |
But a spokesman for the port said its activities would not be affected by the collision. |