Emergency response services were put on alert in the English Channel after 18 containers fell overboard from Seatrade’s reefer containership Baltic Klipper during heavy weather on Saturday.

Images of containers and plenty of bananas washing up on English shorelines were carried by UK media across the weekend. 

An investigation is likely to determine whether the losses were caused by severe weather, improper lashing, or structural failure. 

The incident disrupted some shipping movements, with the P&O Cruises ship Iona delayed in departing from Southampton because of the obstruction.