Baltic Sea: Two missing after British cargo ship clashes with a Danish dredger

Two people have been reported missing after a British cargo ship collided with a Danish dredger in the Baltic Sea.

The incident capsized the dredger, throwing two crew members into the freezing cold waters.

Eight rescue vessels and a helicopter are now searching the straits between the Danish island of Bornholm and the Swedish city of Ystad, looking for the missing seamen.

The British ship heard "screaming" at quarter to five this morning, but nothing more has emerged, Jonas Franzen, communications chief at the Swedish Maritime Agency told the Daily Telegraph.

Danish and Swedish authorities said the incident involved the Scot Carrier and the Danish ship Karin Hoej.

The Danish vessel will be taken by the Swedish coast guard and taken to Sweden as oil has started to flow into the water.

A preliminary investigation into possible gross negligence in maritime traffic has been opened, according to the Swedish Coast Guard.

"A preliminary investigation into gross negligence in maritime traffic is being conducted under the direction of prosecutors," it said in a statement.

The Swedish Coast Guard said it was carrying out an environmental rescue operation “to prevent oil or other harmful substances from being released into the sea” but said there “currently” were no ongoing oil spills.