VIDEO: Cargo ships collide head-on in Kiel Canal

Two cargo ships have collided on the Kiel Canal in Germany, causing the busy waterway to close to traffic for several hours.

According to the waterway and shipping authority responsible for the stretch of water (WSA), the cargo ships Bjoerkoe and Paivi collided on Tuesday morning under the high bridge Levensau, reports Salvage & Wreck. A large gash was left on the hull of Bjoerkoe, while Paivi also suffered significant damage to the bow.

Eyewitnesses told local media that the ships collided head-on, causing a ‘loud bang’ and crew members to be thrown ‘several metres in the air’.

Three sailors reportedly suffered minor injuries in the collision and were taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Initially, the two cargo ships blocked the channel causing it to temporarily close for around two hours.

The Kiel Canal is one of the main shipping routes in Northern Europe and is the world’s most frequented artificial waterway, with an annual average of 32,000 ships (around 90 per day) passing through. According to reports, dozens of ships had to wait at the entrance to the canal during the closure.

Tugs were called in and moved the two cargo ships to nearby ports. One of the ships was taken to Kiel’s inner harbour, the other to Scheerhafen. There are also reports that the engine of one ship failed following the collision.

The canal was eventually reopened three hours later.

The reason for the collision has not been confirmed, and federal authorities say an investigation is now underway to find out how the incident occurred.