Shipping containers full of bananas and other exotic fruits have mysteriously washed up on the Isle of Wight, causing chaos in the English Channel.
An investigation has been launched into how more than a dozen huge crates fell from the Baltic Clipper onto the world’s busiest shipping lane yesterday.
About 5,000 passengers on a P&O Cruise will face a delayed departure from Southampton on Saturday ahead of their two-week tour of Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.
A total of 16 containers of fruit had fallen from the ship near the Nab Tower lighthouse near Bembridge at around 6pm last night, the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed.
Eight containers were carrying bananas, another two contained plantains, one was full of avocados, while the remaining five were identified as empty.
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No crew were injured in the accident, while warnings were broadcast to nearby ships in the Solent.
A cordon has been placed where two of the crates came ashore in Selsey.
An MCA spokesperson said: ‘HM Coastguard continues to work with the relevant authorities after 16 containers went overboard from the freighter Baltic Klipper in the Solent on 6 December.
‘This involves collaboration with the owners of the ship, who are responsible for salvaging the containers.’
They added: ‘The public is advised to avoid the area and is reminded that any wreck material found in Britain should be reported to the Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck.
“Those who do not declare their belongings within 28 days are breaking the law and further action may be taken against them.”
The Iona was finally cleared to sail today, P&O Cruises confirmed.
However, passengers reported online that they had been stuck on board for hours with “minimal information” from the captain.
The Baltic Klipper, operated by Seatrade, flies the flag of Liberia and can transport more than 9,000 pallets.
Metro has contacted Seatrade for comment.
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