Emergency services have attended an incident at a dry dock in Edinburgh after a ship toppled over with crew onboard.
Ambulances, police and the fire service all responded to a call of a toppled ship at the Imperial Dock, Leith, at around 8.35am on Wednesday (22 March) morning.
The ship, a research vessel known as the Petrel which belonged to the late billionaire co-founder of Microsoft Paul Allen, was pictured leaning over in the dock at around a 45 degree angle.
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The ship is now owned by the billionaire's estate and had been docked in Edinburgh since 2020 due to 'operation challenges' during the coronavirus pandemic.
Before that the Petrel had been used for deep water searches, looking for the sites of shipwrecks and war graves in the sea.
Five ambulances, three trauma teams, three paramedic response units, an air ambulance and a patient transport vehicle were sent to the scene.
According to the BBC there have been 'multiple injuries' as a result of the incident.
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Police say that the ship had become dislodged from its holding in the dry dock and urged people to stay away.
A Police Scotland spokeswoman 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 and officers remain at the scene.
“The public are asked to avoid the area to allow emergency service access.”
Edinburgh City Council leader Cammy Day told LBC he believed there were around 50 people onboard the boat when it toppled.
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Leith councillor Adam McVey said the ship had been dislodged due to strong winds and described the incident as 'terrifying' for the crew members on board the ship.
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."
The coastguard have also attended the scene to assist the emergency services in their response.
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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.
Joe Harker