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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It added that no injuries have been recorded, contradicting earlier media reports.<\/p>\n
The ship was reportedly carrying 640 tons of heavy fuel oil when a fire broke out on board early on Friday.<\/p>\n
It is currently anchored in the Mecklenburg Bight between K\u00fchlungsborn and Warnem\u00fcnde and connected to a tugboat, rescue services said.<\/p>\n
Helicopters were also on their way to the tanker transporting fire brigade teams, while three ships have reportedly begun fighting the fire.<\/p>\n
Black smoke from the burning ship is reportedly visible as far as the coast.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n