The sinking of a cargo ship in the North Sea is threatening to spark an ecological disaster as the vessel may be leaking as much as 1,300 cubic metres of diesel.
One body has so far been found in the search for survivors after the British-flagged cargo ship collided with another vessel and sunk in the North Sea.
The German Sea Rescue Society confirmed two others have been rescued.
Rescuers are attempting to locate four other people after the ships, Polesie and Verity, collided at 3am around 14 miles southwest of the German island of Helgoland.
The Polesie, which was carrying 22 passengers, is still waterborne, according to the authorities.
Rescue teams are now searching for another four people who are still missing.
The operation includes a rescue cruiser, police boats, a sensor aircraft and a helicopter, among other vessels.
The 300ft vessel was on its way from Bremen to the English town of Immingham, while the Polesie was sailing from Hamburg to La Coruna in Spain.
The P&O cruise ship Iona, which left Southampton three days ago for Hamburg, Rotterdam and Bruges in Belgium, has now joined in the search.
The rescue efforts are being made more challenging by strong 40mph winds and huge 10ft waves.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Rhys Johnson, onboard the Iona, said passengers were woken just before 6am with an announcement that the crew were helping with the search and rescue operation.
“There are helicopters, search vessels and two of our RHIBs helping,” he told The Sun.
“People are saying...the British ship has sunk. It’s incredibly distressing.
“We set off for Rotterdam from Hamburg yesterday, and we were about 200 metres away from the ships. Everyone on here is sad and concerned and in a state of panic.”
The Polesie, which was carrying 22 passengers, is still waterborne, according to the authoritiesFlickrP&O Cruises spokesperson 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 cooperation 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.”
