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Cargo ship feared lost after collision off Dutch coast 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 is reported to have sunk after a collision. Dutch coastguards are mounting a major rescue operation in the North Sea after a cargo ship sank following a collision.
The accident took place around 100km (60 miles) off the coast of Rotterdam. The accident took place off the coast of Belgium, after the Baltic Ace sailed from Zeebrugge.
A coastguard spokesman said helicopters were winching the 24 crew members of the Baltic Ace to safety. Some of the 24 crew members of the Baltic Ace have been rescued, but 11 are still missing in freezing waters.
Three lifeboats and two helicopters are assisting the rescue, and two naval frigates are also reported to be heading for the scene. 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 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 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 Cyrus J is said to be badly damaged but not in danger of sinking, AP news agency reported. The Corvus J is said to be badly damaged but not in danger of sinking. All 12 crew members are still on board.
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. 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.