A ship sank near Antwerp and polluted the river
A cargo ship sank near Antwerp, Belgium, causing a diesel fuel spill into the river. The incident occurred overnight on the Scheldt River; the crew was rescued. Boat traffic in the area has been temporarily restricted. This was reported by NOS.
The accident occurred on the Scheldt River near Antwerp, one of Europe’s largest port cities. The cargo ship, loaded with sand, suddenly sank overnight, causing a diesel fuel spill into the water.
There were two crew members on board. They were quickly pulled from the water by rescuers and taken to a hospital for examination.
Preliminary reports suggest that the ship may have collided with a pier structure and sustained serious hull damage, causing it to sink. Following the accident, vessel traffic in this section of the river has been restricted. Rescue services are working to contain the diesel spill and clean up the water.
Initial cleanup efforts are expected to take at least a day, while raising the vessel from the riverbed will take significantly longer. Meanwhile, it is reported that the incident will not affect operations at the Port of Antwerp, as the accident occurred outside its main navigation area.
A large fire also broke out in a warehouse near Helsinki. The fire spread rapidly, and thick smoke blanketed the surrounding area. Residents were asked to stay home and limit their time outdoors.
