Two missing after ships collide south of Sweden: maritime authority

TWO people are missing after a British cargo ship crashed into a container vessel in waters south of Sweden, reports have confirmed. The Scot Carrier collided with Danish ship Karin Hoej in the Baltic Sea between Swedish town Ystad and island Bornholm in the early hours of Monday morning, Swedish authorities have said. EPAThe Karin Hoej pictured after it collided in the British cargo ship Scot Carrier in the Baltic sea[/caption] Marine TrafficThe crash took place off the coast of Sweden[/caption] Marine Traffic/Peter aus HoltenauThe Karin Hoej has capsized (file image)[/caption] At least two people are feared to still be in the water as a string of rescue vehicles frantically work to save them, Aftonbladet reports. The Swedish Maritime Administration received reports of screams coming from the water at around 4.45am, communications manager Jonas Franzen said. He said: “Shortly after half past 3 am (0230GMT), we received an alert through our sea and flight rescue central that two freight vessels have collided. “One of the ships has capsized and is upside down.” A spokesperson for Scotline said they were unable to comment since the details of the incident are currently under investigation but said the vessel was assisting local authorities “as required”. The rescue mission had been hampered by the early morning darkness but is now understood to be in full swing. It was reported that the Scot Carrier, which was heading for Montrose in Scotland, is still functional with its crew safe. The Danish-flagged Karin Hoej has capsized and is upside down – with Marine Traffic reporting they have received no update from the ship for more than four hours. The Karin Hoej, which was not loaded, was sailing from Sodertalje in Sweden to Nykobing Falster in southern Denmark with two people on board, said Soren Hoj, managing director of shipping company Rederiet Hoj, which owns the capsized vessel. “I can confirm an accident has happened but I do not know the circumstances,” he said. “A major rescue operation is taking place.” A map shows the two vessels close to each other in the water surrounded by lifeboats. Some ten boats and helicopters have been scrambled to find the drowning crew, Aftonbladet reported. Denmark is assisting Sweden with the rescue attempt. A spokesperson for the Danish Meteorological Institute said fog was reported in the area at the time of the incident. The Danish military confirmed the ships were sailing in the same direction when they came into contact. The Scot Carrier, built in 2018, is some 90 metres long while the Danish carrier is just 55 metres long and was built in 1977, according to Aftonbladet. ReutersThe Scot Carrier is understood to still be functional[/caption] Marine TrafficThe Scot Carrier has been communicating with shipping agencies (file image)[/caption] More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online. Thesun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.  Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.