The MSC Zoe lost hundreds of containers on Tuesday night near the German island Borkum due to a storm. Some of those containers and their cargo have been washing up Dutch and German beaches.
The news initial caused joy in beach-goers, as images on social media show cargo including children's toys (mainly toy ponies!) and car parts washing up on beaches around the three islands of Wadden in the Netherlands. This was due to strong winds.
However, despite this entertaining news, the loss of cargo is also a cause for concern, as three containers which have yet to be located contained barrels a toxic powder of organic peroxide.
"A bag containing 25 kilogrammes (55 pounds) of powder was found on the beach of Schiermonnikoog," said Jan-Willem Zwart, spokesman for the security services of the Frisian Islands, identifying it as "organic peroxide," a highly flammable substance used in making plastics.
© AFP
Authorities have warned volunteers and locals not to touch any bags but to call police or the fire brigade.
"We strongly advise residents and people who have come to clean the beaches to... immediately seek medical attention if they come into contact with the bags (containing organic peroxide)," Zwart said, warning that the chemical substance "can cause burns".
Sea storm
The German authorities confirmed that they had found six other containers on German coasts. The MSC Zoe is attempting to determine which and how many containers were lost, but the wind made this very tricky.
The 396 metre long and 59 metre wide ship was affected by a storm at sea. The ship, registered in Panama, was en route to Bremerhaven in Germany.
According to NOS, the container ship is one of the largest in Europe and can transport up to 19,000 containers. The mayor of Terschelling island, where a number of containers ended up, explained that the clean-up operation would take several days.
Images shared by Dutch media sources show a man transporting a television screen with his feet in the water and kids posing with toys.
