A large ship tipped over while dry-docked in Scot-land, injuring 25 people Wednesday, emergency workers said.
Police and emergency services were called to the Imperial Dock in Edinburgh after receiving reports that a ship had become dislodged from its holding.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said 15 people were taken to the hospital, while 10 others were treated and discharged at the scene. Local police urged the public to avoid the area to allow access for emergency services.
Photos from the scene showed the ship leaning to the side at a 45-degree angle. Adam McVey, a local official, tweeted that it became dislodged due to strong winds.
The 76-meter (250-feet) long vessel, named the Petrel, was a research vessel previously bought and outfitted by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The Petrel is equipped with deep-sea exploration technology and has led several high-profile missions to locate historic shipwrecks, including the discovery of the USS Indianapolis in 2017 in the Philippine Sea.
It was placed into long-term moorage in 2020 as a result of “operation challenges” during the Covid pandemic. It had previously been used for deep water searches for shipwrecks and war graves at sea.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Officers and emergency service colleagues are responding to an incident at Imperial Dock in Leith, Edinburgh, whereby a ship on dry dock has become dislodged from its holding.
“Police were called to attend at around 8.35am on Wednesday and officers remain at the scene. The public are asked to avoid the area to allow emergency service access.”
Adam McVey, a local councillor, said the ship became dislodged in strong winds and he described the incident as “terrifying” for those on board.
He tweeted: “Emergency services are responding to a major incident at Leith docks – a ship has been dislodged from its holding in strong winds.
“Terrifying for those on board, my thoughts are with those who’ve been injured & hope everyone recovers quickly. Please avoid area.”
A wind speed of 38mph was recorded in Edin-burgh at 8am on Wednesday, while a 44mph gust was recorded at 9am, according to Met Office data.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We have dispatched five ambulances, an air ambu-lance, three trauma teams, our special operations team, three paramedic response units and one patient transport vehicle.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Operations control mobilised four appliances and a number of specialist resources. Crews currently remain in attendance.”
The coastguard also sent teams to the scene. A spokesman said: “HM Coastguard is currently as-sisting Police Scotland in responding to a major incident at Imperial Dry Dock in Edinburgh.”
Dales Marine Services, which runs the dry dock, said it had no comment.
NHS Lothian warned people not to attend A&E in preparation for an influx of patients being sent from the docks.
Jacquie Campbell, chief officer of acute services at NHS Lothian said: “We’re on standby to receive a number of patients at the Royal Infirmary of Edin-burgh’s A&E department following a major incident at the Imperial Docks in Leith.
“We have been reviewing the current capacity at RIE, with support from other sites, to prepare to accommodate these patients.
“Given the expected pressure on the site, we urge people not to attend A&E at the RIE unless it’s an emergency.”
It is understood that an emergency call has been made for all medical staff currently absent from work to attend the hospital to help treat casualties.—Agencies
