Maritime authorities “presume” that one of the two ships sank. Rescue teams went looking for the castaways.
A major rescue operation is underway off the German coast on Tuesday October 24 to find sailors missing following a collision between two cargo ships, one of which sank. The collision occurred in the North Sea around 5 a.m., 22 kilometers southwest of the German island of Heligoland. “One person was able to be taken out of the water and is receiving medical treatment. Several people are missing”specified the maritime rescue services in Cuxhaven, a port city in north-west Germany.
Maritime authorities say “to presume” that the smaller of the two ships, the Verity, 91 meters long and 14 meters wide, sank. This British-flagged ship came from Bremen (Germany) and was bound for Immingham (United Kingdom). The second cargo ship, 190 meters long and 29 meters wide, the Poland, flying the flag of the Bahamas, came from the German port of Hamburg and was heading to La Coruña, Spain. At this stage, it has not been clarified what goods the two cargo ships were carrying. The causes of the collision were also not mentioned.
Three meter high waves
Several rescue ships are currently searching for the castaways, as well as an army helicopter. Medical personnel were rushed to the area. THE Poland, with 22 people on board, is afloat, the press release specifies. It is listed among the fleet of boats of the Polish shipowner Polsteam, according to the company’s website.
The cruise ship Ionawhich belongs to the British-based company P&O Cruises, is also in the maritime area and is supporting the search. “On board of Ionapeople can also be treated medically”, add the emergency services. The maritime area of the accident is swept by winds which blow at a speed of 6 on the Beaufort scale, in a sea with waves three meters high.