A ship carrying a cargo of radioactive waste is drifting in the Moray Firth after losing engine power.
The Denmark-registered Parida was carrying a cargo of radioactive concrete waste from Scrabster to Antwerp when a fire broke out in one of her funnels.
The vessel is currently drifting around 20 miles south east of Wick as attempts are made to restore power.
A spokesman for the Coastguard said: “She had a fire in one of her funnels around 8pm so they immediately switched off the engines.
“She’s been drifting roughly south west, but they’ve dropped the anchor to try and stop her drifting.”
All 52 people aboard the Beatrice rigs have been evacuated to RAF Lossiemouth as a precaution while the vessel continues to drift.
Vessel carrying radioactive waste drifting in Moray Firth
