Emergency teams have raced to a dock in Edinburgh after a large boat tipped over at a '45-degree angle'.
Crews were called to reports a ship had become dislodged from its holding in the Imperial Dock area in Leith shortly before 9am on Wednesday, March 22, and remain in attendance. The vessel is reportedly the RV Petrel, a research vessel owned by the estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
Multiple fire appliances, as well as air and ground support from the Scottish Ambulance Service are at the scene. It's been reported that Edinburgh City council leader Cammy Day believes there were around 50 people on board.
He fears "there may be a dozen people who've been injured to some extent". This has not as of yet been confirmed.
A worrying image from an eye-witness shows a large ship tilted at a 45-degree angle where it is positioned on a "dry dock."
Leith councillor Adam McVey 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 Police Scotland spokesperson 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, 22 March, 2023 and officers remain at the scene. The public are asked to avoid the area to allow emergency service access."
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We received a call at 0829 hours today to attend an incident in Leith.
“We have dispatched five ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams, our special operations team, three paramedic response units and one patient transport vehicle.”
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted at 8.43am on Wednesday to reports of an incident at Imperial Dock, Leith, Edinburgh.
“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 assisting Police Scotland in responding to a major incident at Imperial Dry Dock in Edinburgh.
“At around 9.30am, Coastguard rescue teams from Fisherrow, South Queensferry and Kinghorn were sent to the scene.
“This is a multi-agency response, with the Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue also in attendance.”
Dales Marine Services, which runs the dry dock, said it had no comment.
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