A ship carrying 3,500 liters of diesel and 1,400 tonnes of potassium chloride sank in Hamburg, specifically at Kalikai, a prominent location for bulk goods export. The 80-meter-long vessel was moored when the incident occurred, and it is currently unclear why it sank in the Elbe river.
The skipper of the ship, whose identity is undisclosed, remained uninjured but in shock. Oil barriers were deployed as a precaution, and emergency services, involving around 40 personnel, continued their operation in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg port.
Despite the sinking, there is no immediate environmental threat, given that potassium chloride is a harmless, water-soluble substance used in fertilizer production. A specialist company may attempt to pump out the remaining fuel if water levels permit.
