The accident happened at 3.30 on Monday night. The Danish cargo vessel Karin Hoej and the British-registered Scot Carrier were then between Bornholm and Ystad.
– The British vessel has reported that they have probably collided, says communications manager Jonas Franzen at the Swedish Maritime Administration.
Shortly afterwards, it was reported that the Danish vessel had capsized.
Scream in the water
Just over an hour later, according to Franzen, screams were heard in the water, but by 10 o’clock no survivors had been found. The temperature in the water is around 4 degrees.
– We know that there were at least two people on the Danish vessel that is now lying upside down. The British vessel had a small lifeboat that they put on the water, but they have not found any, says Franzen.
A large rescue operation is now underway with six rescue vessels, several helicopters and two cargo ships in the area.
– We have asked for diving resources and continue the search, says Franzen.
Danish and British
Karin Hoej is registered in Denmark, 55 meters long and was built in 1977. It was on its way from Södertälje in Sweden to Nykøbing Falster in Denmark. It should not have a load.
The Scot Carrier is 90 meters long, was built in 2018 and was on its way from Salacgrīva in Latvia to Montrose in the UK. It is not known what load the ship has.
Towed towards land
No oil leak has been reported from Karin Hoej, and the Swedish Coast Guard has taken measures to prevent this from happening.
The capsized ship is now being towed ashore to prevent it from sinking and for divers to be able to enter the ship and search for any survivors.
– It is towed towards Sandhammaren in Kåsberga, says Agne Hörnestig in the Swedish Maritime Administration.
(©NTB)
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