Denmark shuts major shipping strait and airspace after navy missile failure

The Danish military says a missile failure on a navy ship has triggered a closure of airspace and shipping traffic near a major shipping lane off the Danish coast.

The National Maritime Authority warned ships to avoid part of the Great Belt strait due to a risk of "falling missile fragments" – with ships asked to drop anchor if necessary.

The Great Belt strait is one of the world's busiest sea lanes and the main maritime access to the Baltic Sea.

• The mysterious instructions to Britain's nuclear submarines in case of nuclear apocalypse
• HMS Richmond back safe in Plymouth after shooting down drones in the Red Sea
• Dogs of war: Commandos harness huskies for resupply exercise behind enemy lines

A statement from the Danish military said: "The problem occurred during a mandatory test where the missile launcher is activated and cannot be deactivated."

It added: "Until the missile launcher is deactivated, there is a risk that the missile can fire and fly a few kilometres away."

A naval exercise was ongoing in the area, a navigational warning showed. The warning covered an area some four kilometres (2.5 miles) south of the Great Belt bridge, which crosses the strait.

The bridge remained open to traffic, its operator said.