Multiple individuals unaccounted for following collision of ships in the North Sea, according to authorities.

According to German authorities, a collision between two cargo ships off the coast of Germany's North Sea has left several people missing. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning when the British-flagged Verity crashed into the Bahamian vessel Polesie. The Verity is believed to have sunk following the collision. So far, one person has been rescued, but multiple individuals are still unaccounted for and search operations are underway. The Verity was en route from Bremen, Germany, to Immingham in the UK, while the Polesie had departed from Hamburg, Germany, on its journey to La Coruña, Spain. The collision occurred near the German archipelago of Heligoland, which is part of the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service, along with the navy and water police, are assisting in the search efforts. Additionally, a nearby cruise ship is also aiding in the rescue mission. Survivors are currently receiving medical attention, and the cause of the collision remains unclear.