A research vessel named Petrel has capsized in a dry dock in Leith, Edinburgh, causing injuries to 25 people.
Emergency services, including police, ambulances, and fire services were summoned to the scene at approximately 8:30 am. Social media images revealed the vessel leaning at a 45-degree angle after becoming dislodged from its holding at Imperial Dock.
Fifteen people were transported to the hospital, while ten others were treated and released on-site. The Scottish Ambulance Service has not released any information regarding the conditions of the injured.
The ship, which is 75m long and owned by the estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, had been used previously for deep water searches for shipwrecks and war graves at sea before being placed into long-term moorage in 2020 due to operational issues arising from the Covid pandemic.
According to a spokeswoman from Police Scotland, emergency services and officers are attending an incident at Imperial Dock in Leith, Edinburgh, after a ship in dry dock became unfastened from its holding. The police were notified of the occurrence on Wednesday at 8:35 am, and they are currently present at the site. The public is urged to avoid the area to enable unobstructed emergency service access.
Local councillor Adam McVey has stated that the ship became unfastened due to severe winds, and he described the event as “frightening” for the individuals present on the ship. In a tweet, he stated that emergency services are dealing with a significant occurrence at Leith docks, where a ship had become unfastened in the powerful winds. He expressed sympathy for those who were injured and hoped for their swift recovery. He also requested the public to avoid the area.
According to a spokesman from the Scottish Ambulance Service, numerous resources were dispatched to the scene, including five ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams, one patient transport vehicle, three paramedic response units, and a special operations team. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also dispatched four appliances and specialist resources, and they are still present at the site.
The coastguard has also provided assistance, with a spokesman stating that they are aiding Police Scotland in their response to the significant incident at Imperial Dry Dock in Edinburgh. Dales Marine Services, the dry dock’s operator, declined to comment.
In anticipation of the inflow of patients from the docks, NHS Lothian has cautioned individuals not to attend A&E, as they are preparing to accommodate several patients. Jacquie Campbell, the chief officer of acute services at NHS Lothian, said that they are ready to receive patients at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh’s A&E department following the incident. Given the anticipated strain on the hospital, individuals are encouraged not to visit unless it is an emergency.
Images: CREDIT: Tomahawk / Twitter
