One sailor has died and four others are missing after a British cargo ship sank following a collision with a vessel in the North Sea.
Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies said two sailors were rescued but the body of one man had been recovered following the incident.
A search and rescue operation began after the British-flagged Verity hit a larger cargo ship, Polesie, about 14 miles south-west of the German island of Heligoland at around 5am on Tuesday.
While the Bahamas-flagged Polesie stayed afloat, the Verity, which had departed from Bremen, Germany, and was destined for the port of Immingham on the east coast of England, became submerged.
A P&O cruise ship is helping with the search, a spokesman for the operator told the PA news agency.
They said: “P&O Cruises’ Iona is currently involved in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Germany.
“The incident is ongoing and Iona’s co-operation complies with international maritime law as well as being consistent with the company’s moral and legal obligations.
“Iona is scheduled to be at sea today and this event should have no impact upon tomorrow’s scheduled call to Rotterdam or the onward itinerary.”
Faversham Ships Ltd, which owns the Verity, described the incident as “ongoing” and said it is working with local authorities.
A spokesman for Associated British Ports, which owns the port of Immingham, confirmed it the vessel was due to arrive there.
The Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
