An orange weather alert had been issued for high winds as Storm Ana has been heading northwards. Winds on the coast had been blowing up to 110km while traffic was interrupted in the port of Calais.
316 people, including 208 passengers, are on board, according to the prefecture of Calais. Two tugboats are trying to pull the ferry, a pilot boat is assisting them and rescue at sea have been triggered.
The car ferry the Pride of Kent, owned by P & O Ferries which was bound for Dover, reportedly hit a bridge during its maneuver leaving the port. “The ship was pushed to the other side of the port,” a company spokeswoman told AFP.
The ferry is believed to have crashed into the east jetty due to high winds and got stuck on a sandbank.
Officials are hopeful of rescuing the ferry later today, possibly around 5pm when there is a high tide.
Tugs from Dunkirk have been called in and should not arrive before 4pm.
The authorities, along with the prefecture, have set up a crisis unit.
At 2.30pm the ferry reportedly went backwards, then backed up about 20 meters before coming to a standstill.
A spokesman for P&O Ferries told Express.co.uk: “We can confirm a ferry ran aground whilst trying to leave the port of Calais this afternoon.
“There are no reported casualties.
“The ship is now afloat and we hope to transfer the passengers as soon as possible.”
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