A mishap involving a missile launcher on a Danish navy ship has halted traffic at one of the world’s busiest sea lanes on Thursday.
An area of the Great Belt strait was closed to air and sea traffic after a missile launcher malfunctioned during a Danish naval exercise.
“The problem occurred during a mandatory test where the missile launcher is activated and cannot be deactivated,” Denmark’s military said in a statement.
“Until the missile launcher is deactivated, there is a risk that the missile can fire and fly a few kilometers away,” the military added.
The Great Belt strait is the gateway to the Baltic Sea and is important for global shipping.
The incident occurred just south of the Great Belt bridge, which connects peninsular Denmark with Copenhagen.
Danish broadcaster DR reported that the launcher was activated but the harpoon missile itself was not armed, so there was no danger of an explosion.
Denmark’s National Maritime Authority said the advisory to halt sea traffic was due to the risk of “falling missile fragments.”
Due to an incident involving a missile launcher on a Danish navy ship, traffic at one of the busiest sea lanes in the world was suspended on Thursday.
Following a missile launcher malfunction during a Danish naval exercise, a portion of the Great Belt Strait was off-limits to air and sea traffic.
According to a statement from Denmark’s military, “the issue arose during a required test where the missile launcher is activated and cannot be deactivated.”.
“There is a possibility that the missile can fire and travel a few kilometers away until the missile launcher is deactivated,” the military continued.
Being the entrance to the Baltic Sea, the Great Belt Strait is crucial for international shipping.
The Great Belt bridge, which links Copenhagen and the Danish peninsula, is directly south of where the incident happened. The bridge operator stated that traffic was still able to cross it.
What is the status of the missile?
The harpoon missile was not armed, according to Danish broadcaster DR, so there was no risk of an explosion even though the launcher was activated.
The warning to suspend marine traffic was issued because of the possibility of “falling missile fragments,” according to Denmark’s National Maritime Authority. “.
To address the issue, experts have been enlisted, according to the navy.
zc/dj (DPA, Reuters).
