hello, welcome to the programme. our top story this hour is the breaking news from the united states. the governor of maryland has declared a state of emergency after the collapse of a bridge in baltimore, after it was hit by a container ship. emergency officials describe the incident as a mass casualty event. in the last hour, baltimore police have said that it's still "an active search—and—rescue" operation, and this will last "for some time". rescuers have already taken two people from the water, one of whom is described as in a "very serious condition". it is believed at least seven others are unaccounted for, and possibly as many as 20. this is the moment the collision happened. you can see the ship hitting a column of the francis scott key bridge on the left of screen. the bridge quickly collapsed. the collision happened about 1:30am local time.

there is now a large multi—agency rescue and recovery operation in place. baltimore mayor brandon scott says he is in contact with local authorities. he described the incident as "an unthinkable tragedy". there are no reports of injuries to the ship's crew. it was on its way to colombo in sri lanka. the white house says federal agencies are on hand to offer support if it's needed. this is where it happened. baltimore is in the eastern state of maryland, and the francis scott key bridge crosses the patapsco river. the bridge is a key transport route in the city and traffic is being diverted throughout baltimore. here is baltimore city fire chief, james wallace. so, at approximately 0140 hours this morning our 911 centre dispatched a call to the baltimore city fire department for report of a water rescue in the patapsco river in the area of the key bridge. as units were responding and they began to receive numerous calls indicating multiple people in at the water.

at some point during that chain of events of calls we began to receive indications that a ship may have struck the key bridge. we got further information through multiple calls that the key bridge, portions of the key bridge had actually collapsed. at about 0150 hours our first units arrived on scene and reported a complete collapse of the key bridge. we were also given information at that time that they were likely multiple people on the bridge at the time of the collapse, and that as a result, multiple people were in the water. we were able to remove two people from the water. one individual refused service and refused transport, essentially, that person was not injured. however, there was another individual that has been transported to a local trauma centre at that is in very serious condition. at this time we have

multiple air assets from the maryland state police, as well as the baltimore police department, as well as multiple marine assets from around the region, including baltimore city, as well as multiple local and state police agencies. national resources police, bpd special ops units is here, maryland state police is here. we have multiple resources. we are still very much in an active search and rescue posture at this point, and we will continue to be for some time. we have a large area that we have to search, this includes on the surface of the water, sub surface, as well as on the deck of the ship itself. we believe at this point we may be looking for upwards of seven

individuals, that's the latest information that we have. however, what i will say is that the information that i am giving you right now is as of right now, it is what we know right now. this is a very large incident, it involves a very large footprint, multiple agencies are operating, therefore information is subject to change as we get more intel and as our crews work through the morning. now we can see the full impact of that container ship. these are helicopter shots coming into us from baltimore. you can see very clearly where the container ship, which is 300 metres long and singapore registered, hit a pylon and caused that dramatic collapse of the structure of the bridge there. and

we have heard in that news conference that they are clear at this stage there is no indication that this was terrorism or intentional and that is at the moment what they are saying about that, and they think that around seven people at least are in the water, and as you heard there, the scale of the search and rescue operation is vast and they are having to look on top of the water, in the water, and quite a large scale area there where people might have fallen into the water from the bridge. it is understood that vehicles were on the bridge at the time, and that's the people who are in the water, who potentially were on the bridge when it was struck by that container ship with such devastating effect. we have also heard from the white house who said that they will send any assets they have into the area if they are needed, if they are required. this is a massive story in the united states. a witness to the collapse briefly described the scene. if you wanted to know what the bang was.

ship hit the key bridge. sinking. the bridge is gone. holy hell. 0ur correspondent sean dilley is following the emergency from our newsroom. we have got these dramatic pictures in daylight, we have these incredible helicopter shots showing the full scale of the damage there. yes, what struck me about the press conference is just thinking yes, what struck me about the press conference isjust thinking of yes, what struck me about the press conference is just thinking of those emergency responders. they were saying that when the call came in at 1:35am, they were deploying emergency resources to that scene. any emergency responder, fire, police, ambulance, will recognise this feeling. information is coming in as they are en route to what is clearly a pretty horrific scene. they are initially hearing that the bridge has collapsed in part and people might have fallen in. they

are getting multiple reports of what we later find out in daylight has just been absolutely catastrophic for a port that is very busy in the us. the first units on scene, even in the darkness of the night, can see that the bridge has collapsed completely and that a ship has struck it. now, this ship, 300 metres long, as you say, obviously it is very heavy and obviously it is going to have a massive impact, but as we have heard online from structural engineers matt bridges are not really designed to be particularly strong in relation to ships colliding with them because it is not supposed to happen. that will eventually be one of the focuses of investigators, to understand what has happened. but for now they are not interested in anything other the than search and rescue operation. the other thing that struck me about the conference, beyond the point

that you have raised, which is that it is not believed to be terrorist related, they are using unmanned aerial vehicles to look at the ship. 0ne presumes obviously, as they say they are looking for at least seven people, they are checking the deck of the ship as well as the surface of the ship as well as the surface of the ship as well as the surface of the water, and under the water. they have deployed all sorts of specialist sonar techniques to get in there as quickly as they can. as you say, though, as we are showing on screen as well, we have this absolutely catastrophic hole in the skyline of baltimore. anyone travelling through their would be very familiar with it. now, a port that was used to 1.3 million tonnes of imports in a record year of vehicles, tractors, farm equipment, is now without one of its major assets. is now without one of its ma'or assets. , ., ,.

assets. tell us about the rescue operation _ assets. tell us about the rescue operation because _ assets. tell us about the rescue operation because at _ assets. tell us about the rescue operation because at the - assets. tell us about the rescue l operation because at the moment assets. tell us about the rescue - operation because at the moment they have said that they managed to get two people out of the water, one person did not want to be helped, they were apparently fine. the other person they have described as being in a bad situation and they have been taken to hospital. in the meantime, some degree of uncertainty about the numbers of people who might still be in the water. yes. might still be in the water. yes, the two peeple _ might still be in the water. yes, the two people who _ might still be in the water. yes, the two people who were - might still be in the water. 133 the two people who were rescued, it was clear from the press conference that these were people who were rescued by first responders, so people who turned up in the middle of the night. when they say they don't require service, official speakfor didn't want don't require service, official speak for didn't want to want to go to hospital. the other person's condition was described as critical, so they have been taken to hospital. we don't know, frankly, at the moment how many people have or have not been pulled from the water. the city authorities, although they say they are looking for at least seven people, they clearly have a very good reason that they are putting that number of seven on this, but

they will be aware that they don't know all of the circumstances. we heard from the city and the county executive saying that at the moment it is a research operation, so i just want you to think about that for a moment, just want you to think about that fora moment, it is just want you to think about that for a moment, it is notjust a question of here is a bridge that is missing, here are people we have to rescue. they are having to deploy those drones, those specialist resources, to see what it is they need to do to save as many lives as they can. need to do to save as many lives as the can. . ~ need to do to save as many lives as the can. ., ~ ,, let's speak to our north america correspondent, tom bateman. i understand you are close to the scene. we havejust arrived. we first came along the highway which has largely been closed around the entire first came along the highway which has largely been closed around the entire area first came along the highway which has largely been closed around the entire area because first came along the highway which has largely been closed around the entire area because the first came along the highway which has largely been closed around the entire area because the bridge first came along the highway which has largely been closed around the entire area because the bridge was part of that a—lane highway. we are closer to the water and we can now see the bridge itself. let me just explain the geography a bit here. we are on the east side of the

harbour, so basically looking inland at that 1000 foot structure that has completely collapsed. you can see the remnants of what i'm told is a cantilever bridge, which has collapsed into the water, as you can see. and there is the container ship this singapore flagged vessel, which looks from the angle that we are, our viewpoint here, pretty precarious. it seems to be slightly tilted to one side, as far as we can tell from this angle. we would just hearing about the amount of rescue work and investigation that is now going on into this, and at least two helicopters are above us at the moment one is the state authority is, moment one is the state authority �*s, we are told. so that work carries on and we are hearing from the local fire chief and they believe seven people in the water. they made two rescues first thing, and one of those people was described as being in a serious

condition in hospital now. we arrived shortly after daybreak here, and this is an area very close to the water where people live. they are very used to getting up in the morning, looking out to what was an extremely large structure here. one resident told me that he woke to what he described as a war at 1:30am, he said the ground was shaking and it felt like an explosion. he came out and then saw all of this. another resident here told me that she was an iron worker backin told me that she was an iron worker back in 19705 and she described the building of this bridge in the late 19705 as the pride and joy of baltimore. it is very hard to understate how significant this was, not just understate how significant this was, notjust keeping this very, very

important container shipping area going to the local economy, but also it was a key part of the commuter belt here. it is part of the beltway of baltimore. so beyond the work to try and find out exactly what happened, and the rescue, there is now a significant problem with keeping the city moving. yes. now a significant problem with keeping the city moving. yes, and the scale of _ keeping the city moving. yes, and the scale of this _ keeping the city moving. yes, and the scale of this is _ keeping the city moving. yes, and the scale of this is such _ keeping the city moving. yes, and the scale of this is such that - keeping the city moving. yes, and the scale of this is such that a - the scale of this is such that a number of different agencies are involved in the search and rescue and also in the investigation, including the fbi, and we heard from the white house within the last hour who have said that senior officials are in touch with the governor and mayor to offer any federal assistance they need. it is being seen as a national incident, isn't it? , ., ., ., it? yes. the transportation secretary _ it? yes. the transportation secretary has _ it? yes. the transportation secretary has been - it? yes. the transportation secretary has been in - it? yes. the transportation| secretary has been in touch it? yes. the transportation - secretary has been in touch with the local mayor here, the governor of maryland as well. it is what they

describe as a multi—agency operation at the moment, so all of those agencies involved in rescue, but also the investigation element because they will want to get that “p because they will want to get that up and running very quickly and speak to the two pilots and the captain of the ship. that is going to be a key part of the investigation. we have already heard from the transportation secretary about the need for federal resources, so national resources to be used, both in the investigation element, but also in what is going to be a very, very big job obviously to be a very, very big job obviously to try to fix the transportation element of this because the city has just lost a very major part of its beltway. just lost a very ma'or part of its beltwa . g , , , just lost a very ma'or part of its beltwa. ,, , .,, ., beltway. just briefly, it does not look particularly _ beltway. just briefly, it does not look particularly warm _ beltway. just briefly, it does not look particularly warm where - beltway. just briefly, it does not| look particularly warm where you are, and the water is cold, around about 10 celsius. so the speed is going to be an important factor in

trying to find anyone who is still alive in the water.— trying to find anyone who is still alive in the water. yes, absolutely. we know that _ alive in the water. yes, absolutely. we know that divers _ alive in the water. yes, absolutely. we know that divers are _ alive in the water. yes, absolutely. we know that divers are in - alive in the water. yes, absolutely. we know that divers are in the - we know that divers are in the water. the coastguard is involved in the rescue operation at the moment. it was described to me that the waters at the time were probably around freezing. all of that concern for the workers that we were told were on the bridge. some reports only one that the number may have been 20, but in a latest update from the baltimore fire chief the numbers were described as around seven, but they still don't have confirmation of that. that was said to be the information they had at that particular point. most of the pictures of the incident itself from a lifestream from the harbour authority, and when you wind it back authority, and when you wind it back a few minutes before the point of impact, you can see the lights go

out on the ship about two or three minutes before it hits the support structure, the ship goes completely dark. some of the lights then appeared to go back on, and that may give some indication as to what had happened. the other thing you can see in the video is traffic on the bridge. it is clear when large vehicles and trucks are crossing, and there had been a fair amount of traffic in the minutes before. it looks as though, from what you can tell on the video, that it was a fairly clear, at least of large vehicles, what you can see in the video at the point of impact. but we know again from the fire authorities that they have said they believe at least one, that they describe either as a tractor—trailer or a large truck, went into the water. and that is part of their rescue and recovery attempt. is part of their rescue and recovery attem t. ., 1, ., is part of their rescue and recovery attemt. ., 1, ., ., ~ is part of their rescue and recovery attemt. ., z, . . ~' i” around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

let's speak to david mcfarlane, director at maritime risk a nd safety co nsulta nts. how do you think this collision might have happened? yes. how do you think this collision might have happened? yes, good morninu. might have happened? yes, good morning- first — might have happened? yes, good morning. first of _ might have happened? yes, good morning. first of all, _ might have happened? yes, good morning. first of all, can - might have happened? yes, good morning. first of all, can i - might have happened? yes, good morning. first of all, can i just i morning. first of all, can ijust say that my thoughts are with the individuals concerned, and good luck to the rescue teams in trying to recover them. my first reaction when i saw the original footage this morning on the news was that it was probably some sort of malfunction in the steering gear which allowed the vessel to veer off course and hit the bridge. at this stage it is purely speculation, but you did see the lights of the vessel go out for a short time, probably a matter of seconds, but it only takes a matter

of seconds for a change of course to occur. and then, of course, there was a big plume of black smoke out of the final, which showed to me that the engines reacted and went into emergency full astern. normally into emergency full astern. normally in a situation — into emergency full astern. normally in a situation like _ into emergency full astern. normally in a situation like this, _ into emergency full astern. normally in a situation like this, we _ in a situation like this, we understand there were two pilots and a captain on board, so talk us to the practicalities of coming out of a big port and navigating things like big structures like bridges. what is the normal procedure? this like big structures like bridges. what is the normal procedure? as you sa , there what is the normal procedure? as you say. there were _ what is the normal procedure? as you say, there were two _ what is the normal procedure? as you say, there were two pilots _ what is the normal procedure? as you say, there were two pilots on - what is the normal procedure? as you say, there were two pilots on board i say, there were two pilots on board and one would probably be the harbour pilot and the other would be the river pilot. the pilots will have conducted, or should have conducted, a master pilot exchange and discussion with the master and the bridge team before the ship departed from the quayside. in that, there will be talk about the particulars of the ship, length, breadth, manoeuvring speed, any defects on the ship, and then the

pilots should discuss the passage plan with the captain, who will agree or disagree with it. any points of concern on the passage plan, any points of danger, and that is normal procedure, and that should have occurred. these are very dramatic pictures that we can see, this aerial shot of the vessel hitting the bridge, and it is extremely large. even from the sky, it looks gigantic, almost bigger than the bridge itself. tell us more about the safety procedures. as you said, the lights went out, because think that would be enough to cause it to veer off course? the shi is to cause it to veer off course? the ship is only _ to cause it to veer off course? tue: ship is only about to cause it to veer off course? tte: ship is only about three to cause it to veer off course? "tte: ship is only about three miles to cause it to veer off course? t'te: ship is only about three miles away from her point of departure, so you

are not going to be very far away. the ship would have gone through a series of checklists before departure which would have included machinery. they would have made sure the engines were working 0k. they would have tested the steering, making sure the steering gear was in working order. they would also have tested the bridge of equipment. that all should have been done prior to departure. these ships, as you say, are quite big. you are looking at a manoeuvrability speed of at least seven knots. anything less than seven knots. anything less than seven knots. anything less than seven knots is extremely difficult to manoeuvre. as soon as you take any speed off, you start to veer out of control a little bit. taste of control a little bit. we appreciate _ of control a little bit. we appreciate your - of control a little bit. we appreciate your analysis. director at maritime risk and safety consultants. thank you. a bit earlier i spoke to alex del sardo who is the owner of the hard yacht club

and anchor bay marina, which is close to the bridge that has collapsed. reiterating what the mayor said, it is terrifying. at 1:48am, one of our employees, a former first responder, had heard it. he said it sounded like a very large, long rumbling, like a train going through. he just dozed back off to sleep, and at three o'clock in the morning he had got phone calls from the police department, the fire department, saying you need to get up. there is now another news conference with the authorities in baltimore. at this time, this is an active search and rescue mission. we know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge. 0ur at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge. our partners from the us coast guard will provide more information. in terms of traffic, drivers should avoid the corridor

and use alternatives. 0ne drivers should avoid the corridor and use alternatives. one is being detoured south bound to the peninsula expressway. vessel traffic into and out of the port of baltimore is suspended untilfurther notice. the port is still open for truck transactions. 0bviously notice. the port is still open for truck transactions. obviously we are thankful for the first responders who are carrying out their efforts in these rescues and that they were doing this all through the night and today, and we are praying for the safe return of everyone. we will continue to provide updates to you, the next one will be approximately 9:30am. i tell you over to lieutenant colonel from the us coast guard. ,., ., ., ., ., guard. good morning. i am from coastguard _ guard. good morning. i am from coastguard and _ guard. good morning. i am from coastguard and i _ guard. good morning. i am from coastguard and i am _ guard. good morning. i am from coastguard and i am the - guard. good morning. i am from coastguard and i am the acting l guard. good morning. i am from . coastguard and i am the acting chief responder— coastguard and i am the acting chief responder for this sector. 0ur responder for this sector. our primary— responder for this sector. our primary mission right now is search

and rescue, — primary mission right now is search and rescue, looking for any survivors— and rescue, looking for any survivors in the water. 0n scene we currently _ survivors in the water. 0n scene we currently have three small boats and we also _ currently have three small boats and we also have a coastguard cutter, aim 87 _ we also have a coastguard cutter, aim 87 per — we also have a coastguard cutter, aim 87 per foot patrol boat. we have aim 87 per foot patrol boat. we have a helicopter— aim 87 per foot patrol boat. we have a helicopter from a lengthy 60 —— atlantic— a helicopter from a lengthy 60 —— atlantic city. a helicopter from a lengthy 60 -- atlantic city-— atlantic city. what role is the fbi -la in: in atlantic city. what role is the fbi playing in the _ atlantic city. what role is the fbi playing in the investigation? - atlantic city. what role is the fbi playing in the investigation? the| playing in the investigation? the fbi is playing in the investigation? fbi is looking to see if playing in the investigation? tip; fbi is looking to see if there playing in the investigation? fbi is looking to see if there is any terrorism connection, which there is not. no confirmed fatalities. and it recovered _ no confirmed fatalities. and it recovered from _ no confirmed fatalities. and it recovered from the _ no confirmed fatalities. and it recovered from the water - no confirmed fatalities. and it i recovered from the water alive? no confirmed fatalities. and it - recovered from the water alive? the rescue recovered from the water alive? rescue mission is still action. recovered from the water alive? the rescue mission is still action. do - rescue mission is still action. do ou have rescue mission is still action. do you have any sense of what happened to the cargo ship? some reports suggested it suffered a power outage. suggested it suffered a power outaue. ., ., suggested it suffered a power outate, ., , outage. too early in the investigation. _ outage. too early in the investigation. was - outage. too early in the investigation. was it - outage. too early in the investigation. was it a l outage. too early in the i investigation. was it a port outage. too early in the - investigation. was it a port is authorised — investigation. was it a port is authorised pilot _ investigation. was it a port is

authorised pilot or— investigation. was it a port is authorised pilot or the - investigation. was it a port is | authorised pilot or the captain investigation. was it a port is . authorised pilot or the captain of the ship? — authorised pilot or the captain of the shi - ? ., authorised pilot or the captain of the shi? ., , ., , ., authorised pilot or the captain of theshi? ., , .,, ., , ,, the ship? no, the pilots move ships in and out of — the ship? no, the pilots move ships in and out of baltimore. _ the ship? no, the pilots move ships in and out of baltimore. what - the ship? no, the pilots move ships in and out of baltimore. what is - in and out of baltimore. what is happening _ in and out of baltimore. what is happening to — in and out of baltimore. what is happening to the _ in and out of baltimore. what is happening to the other - in and out of baltimore. what is happening to the other ships . in and out of baltimore. what is. happening to the other ships that are waiting, how are you navigating that? we are waiting, how are you navigating that? ~ ., _, that? we are communicating with them and they offer — that? we are communicating with them and they offer see _ that? we are communicating with them and they offer see understand - that? we are communicating with them and they offer see understand the - and they offer see understand the situation, and we will deal with the logistics of that later. ii'idte�*e situation, and we will deal with the logistics of that later.— logistics of that later. have the crew been _ logistics of that later. have the crew been evacuated _ logistics of that later. have the crew been evacuated from - logistics of that later. have the crew been evacuated from the | logistics of that later. have the - crew been evacuated from the ship? that is all being done right now. i don't know the exact details of where they all are. ts don't know the exact details of where they all are.— don't know the exact details of where they all are. is this being investigated _ where they all are. is this being investigated as _ where they all are. is this being investigated as suspicious - where they all are. is this being . investigated as suspicious question mark in any type of incident like this, the fbi will be engaged just to make sure. how many people are in the water? can you give us any idea how this can happen? tt is the water? can you give us any idea how this can happen?— how this can happen? it is too early in the investigation. _ how this can happen? it is too early in the investigation. how— how this can happen? it is too early in the investigation. how long - how this can happen? it is too early in the investigation. how long will l in the investigation. how long will the ort in the investigation. how long will the port be _ in the investigation. how long will the port be closed? _

how many people are you looking for? that is what we are doing, we are basically searching for everyone that was potentially on the bridge. as you can imagine, in the middle of the night, what type of traffic was there, how many workers were there, you know, workers come to a project but other workers show up sometimes and that is what we are investigating.— and that is what we are investigating. and that is what we are investiatint. ., , ., , ~ investigating. has anything like this ever happened? _ investigating. has anything like this ever happened? not - investigating. has anything like this ever happened? not in - this ever happened? not in baltimore. can you talk more about the workers on the bridge, what was going on, and how many vehicles you think might be in the water? thea;r think might be in the water? they were doing _ think might be in the water? they were doing some _ think might be in the water? tte: were doing some concrete repair think might be in the water? tte1 were doing some concrete repair but were doing some concrete repair but we don't have a number on the vehicles. how long will be put too early to determine. we are researching to see if anyone

else was on the bridge. bud we are researching to see if anyone else was on the bridge.— we are researching to see if anyone else was on the bridge. and you give us some of— else was on the bridge. and you give us some of the _ else was on the bridge. and you give us some of the challenges, - else was on the bridge. and you give us some of the challenges, such - else was on the bridge. and you give us some of the challenges, such as l us some of the challenges, such as the freezing water or the current? all of the above, to be frank. it's a very tough situation. 1am in the morning, very little information at that time, you know. tt morning, very little information at that time, you know.— that time, you know. it happened instantaneously. _ that time, you know. it happened instantaneously. what _ that time, you know. it happened instantaneously. what can - that time, you know. it happened instantaneously. what can you i that time, you know. it happened| instantaneously. what can you tell family members who might be watching about any hope that you will still recover survivors? taste about any hope that you will still recover survivors?— about any hope that you will still recover survivors? we have set up a facili for recover survivors? we have set up a facility for any _ recover survivors? we have set up a facility for any family _ recover survivors? we have set up a facility for any family members. i recover survivors? we have set up a facility for any family members. we | facility for any family members. we have health professionals there as well. �* , ., ., ., have health professionals there as well. �* ., ., ., , ~ well. are you rolling out any kind of intentional _ well. are you rolling out any kind of intentional motive? _ well. are you rolling out any kind of intentional motive? we i well. are you rolling out any kind of intentional motive? we don't. well. are you rolling out any kind i of intentional motive? we don't see an hin of intentional motive? we don't see anything that _ of intentional motive? we don't see anything that relates _ of intentional motive? we don't see anything that relates to _ of intentional motive? we don't see anything that relates to that - of intentional motive? we don't see anything that relates to that at i anything that relates to that at this time. it is an open investigation, but there is nothing that points to that. he was the first to make the 9/11 call? t he was the first to make the 9/11

call? ., �* ., ., ., ., ., call? i don't have that information. do ou call? i don't have that information. do you know _ call? i don't have that information. do you know if _ call? i don't have that information. do you know if the _ call? i don't have that information. do you know if the ship _ call? i don't have that information. do you know if the ship lost - call? i don't have that information. | do you know if the ship lost power? it is too early. we will be back at about 930. it is too early. we will be back at about 5330-— about 930. the bridge took five ears to about 930. the bridge took five years to construct, _ about 930. the bridge took five years to construct, is _ about 930. the bridge took five years to construct, is there i about 930. the bridge took five years to construct, is there any| years to construct, is there any idea...? years to construct, is there any idea. . . ? ~ . years to construct, is there any idea...? ~ ., ., ., ., idea. . . ? we have reached out to a number of— idea. . . ? we have reached out to a number of engineering _ idea. . . ? we have reached out to a number of engineering companies | idea. . . ? we have reached out to a i number of engineering companies but we have a long road in front of us to get to that point.— we have a long road in front of us to get to that point. thank you so much. that was the transportation secretary of maryland, calling it a catastrophic collapse at a news conference, saying that they know there were individuals on the bridge at the time. he said there was perhaps some concrete work that was being done by workers on the bridge. we also heard during that news conference he said there was nothing at this stage to indicate that it was intentional, and we heard from the coastguard that it is still an active search and rescue operation

with a number of vessels in the area and helicopters. do stay with us on bbc news. a line of rain invigorating for the afternoon, bringing heavy downpours across parts of south—east england, england and wales, and then eventually moving into northern ireland. the cloud ahead of it, scattered showers easing across the highlands through the course of the afternoon. some wintry on the hills. through the evening and overnight, a band of rain continues to push north, getting into northern england, northern ireland, scotland, and again depositing more snow on the hills. then a line of showers,

northern ireland, wales and south—west england, extending into the channel islands. clear skies and cold where we have got some snow. tomorrow, this line of showers pushes from the west towards the east and heads northwards with some wintry showers on the hills across the far north of scotland, where it will be windy. windy, too, across the south of england and through the english channel. temperatures 6— 12 celsius. 0vernight wednesday into thursday, low pressure driving our weather and we have various weather fronts wrapped around it. on thursday what we are looking at is basically bands of rain pushing northwards and eastwards. some of those wintry on the hills, some heavy and thundery with drier interludes. wendy across the north—east and gail is possible through the english channel. temperatures eight in the north, 11 or 12 at best further south. good

friday, not as many showers around, more dry