Several people missing after British cargo ship 'sinks in North Sea'

The Verity was heading to Immingham when it collided with a larger ship, called Polesie, in the early hours of the morning around 12 miles south-west of the German island of Helgoland.

The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service said one person was rescued from the water and they are now receiving medical care, but several other people are currently missing.

In a statement, the rescue service said The Verity is “assumed” to have sank “as a result of the collision”.

“The search for the shipwrecked is underway. Numerous ships are in use for this purpose,” it added.

The Bahamas-flagged Polesie, which remained afloat with 22 people on board, was travelling from Hamburg to La Coruña in Spain.

The Verity had set sail from the German city of Bremen and was heading to Immingham.