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Police are dealing with a security incident involving a small number of stowaways aboard an oil tanker off the Isle of Wight, Sky News learns.
Sky’s home affairs correspondent Mark White said: “We believe that at least half a dozen stowaways were discovered at some point today.
“There are reports that the crew is taking refuge at certain points on the ship.”
Police are dealing with an “ongoing incident” off the south coast of the Isle of Wight. Pic: MarineTraffic.com
The Andromeda Ship was due to dock in Southampton today and a Coast Guard helicopter is circling the ship.
There is now a five nautical mile restriction zone around the ship.
Police have also deployed their own helicopter over the Isle of Wight.
Authorities are still trying to establish the exact circumstances of the incident.
The 228-meter-long ship was carrying 42,000 tonnes of crude oil and left Nigeria last week before heading to Southampton.
The ship had made several zigzags around the area off the Isle of Wight, according to Marine Traffic.
