Major rescue operation as ship tips after dislodging from dry dock in Leith, Edinburgh

UPDATE: Multiple people injured as ship topples after dislodging at dry dock

A major rescue operation is under way in Edinburgh after a ship became dislodged from a dry dock.

The ship, RV Petrel, is a research vessel owned by the estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

Emergency crews were called to the scene at Imperial Dock in Leith at around 8.29am on Wednesday, March 22.

The massive ship on a dry dock became dislodged from its holding, and images show it lurched towards its righthand side.

It is not known if anyone was on board when the incident occurred.

Ambulances, the fire service, police officers, and an air ambulance are currently at the scene.

Members of the public have been asked to avoid the area to allow emergency service access.

RV Petrel was placed into long-term moorage at Leith in 2020 due to “operational challenges” stemming from the pandemic.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 8.29am today to attend an incident in Leith.

“We have dispatched five ambulances, an air ambulance, three trauma teams, our special operations team (SORT), three Paramedic Response Units (PRU) and one patient transport vehicle.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We were alerted at 8.43am on March 22 to reports of an incident at Imperial Dock, Leith, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised four appliances and a number of specialist resources.

“Crews currently remain in attendance.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson 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, March 22, 2023 and officers remain at the scene.

“The public are asked to avoid the area to allow emergency service access.”

More to follow.