German rescue teams probe whether to board burning oil tanker

German rescue services were evaluating whether to board a burning oil tanker in the Baltic Sea on Friday as emergency operations continued.

The Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, which has taken over the operation, said special teams from the northern ports of Kiel and Rostock were on board a rescue ship alongside the stricken Annika.

The tanker is located about 4.5 kilometres off Germany's north-eastern coast.

The sea and airspace within a radius of 3 nautical miles of the ship has been closed off to traffic, the command said.

The fire broke out on the ship early on Friday, with 640 tons of heavy fuel oil on board.