Two missing after Scottish-registered vessel collides with Danish ship

Two people are feared to have died after an Inverness-registered vessel collided with another cargo ship in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Sweden.

The Swedish Maritime Administration said a rescue operation was launched after a Danish-flagged cargo ship capsized following a collision with the MV Scot Carrier, which sails under the UK flag.

Two people on board the Danish ship Karin Hoej remain missing.

A spokesperson for the Swedish Maritime Agency said: “Around 3:30am, our Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre received an emergency called regarding two cargo ship that had collided with each other.

“One of the ship, a Danish flagged cargo ship, has capsized after the collision. Two people from the Danish ship are missing.

“A rescue operation is under way including helicopter and ships. The cause of the collision is not yet clear.”

The Swedish Coastguard and rescue service are still searching for the missing crew members. The Karin Hoej has been towed closer to land.

Nobody on board the Scot Carrier is thought to have been injured in the incident. It was en route to Montrose on Scotland’s north-east coast.

A spokesperson for Scotline said: “Scotline can confirm that they have an interest on the Scot Carrier, however, for the time being Scotline are not in a position to comment further since the details of the incident are currently under investigation and still ongoing.

“The master, ship, crew and company are assisting and complying with local authorities as required.

“Further details will be given in due course.”