Denmark has closed one of the world's busiest shipping lanes in the Great Belt strait after a malfunctioning missile launcher was discovered on the Danish navy ship, Niels Juel. The incident occurred during a mandatory test when the booster on a Harpoon missile was activated and could not be deactivated.
The Danish armed forces have stated that specialists are en route to address the problem. There is a concern that the missile could launch and travel several kilometers until the booster is disabled. The danger zone is estimated to be 5-7 kilometers from Naval Station Korsør, at a height of approximately 1000 meters above the water in a southern direction, away from the Great Belt Bridge.
As a precautionary measure, the airspace in the area has been closed. The military emphasized that while the Harpoon missile is live, only the booster is activated, ensuring that there is no risk of explosion or the missile reaching beyond the booster's capacity.
The police and Danish maritime authority have been notified about the situation. Ships in the vicinity of the danger zone have been advised to wait until the issue is resolved. The Danish navy is working diligently to rectify the malfunction and ensure the safety of the area.
