Oil tanker on fire off German coast, major rescue operation under way

An oil tanker is on fire in the Baltic Sea off the coast of north-eastern Germany, the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service said on Friday, with a major operation under way.

All seven crew members on the 73-metre Annika have been rescued, and no environmental damage has been caused so far, the environment ministry in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern said.

It added that no injuries have been recorded, contradicting earlier media reports.

The ship was reportedly carrying 640 tons of heavy fuel oil when a fire broke out on board early on Friday.

It is currently anchored in the Mecklenburg Bight between Kühlungsborn and Warnemünde and connected to a tugboat, rescue services said.

Helicopters were also on their way to the tanker transporting fire brigade teams, while three ships have reportedly begun fighting the fire.

Black smoke from the burning ship is reportedly visible as far as the coast.

The German Central Command for Maritime Emergencies has taken over the rescue operation. Further details, such as the cause of the fire, are not yet known.