Oil tanker on fire off German coast, major rescue operation under way

An oil tanker is on fire in the Baltic Sea off the coast of north-eastern Germany, the German Maritime Search and Rescue Service said on Friday.

All seven crew members on the 73-metre Annika have been rescued, but the Ostseewelle radio station reported several injuries.

The rescue service said a deep-sea salvage tug as well as helicopters and other vessels are on their way to the tanker.

Black smoke from the burning ship is reportedly visible as far as the coast.

The German Central Command for Maritime Emergencies has taken over the rescue operation. Further details, such as the cause of the fire, are not yet known.