DFDS Dover-Calais ferries resume after flare incident

DFDS has resumed its Dover-Calais service

A ferry operator has resumed services on its Dover-Calais route after a vessel was hit by a distress flare.

DFDS suspended ferries on the route and transferred passengers on to Dover-Dunkirk vessels after one of its boats was hit on Saturday.

Senior vice president Carsten Jensen said it was believed striking ferry workers in Calais launched the flare.

On Tuesday, he said DFDS and the authorities had assessed the situation and services to Calais had resumed.

DFDS Seaways has reported the incident involving the flare to police and has said the matter is now in their hands.

Mr Jensen said the high-speed distress flare was launched from a short distance, and was a dangerous situation.

He said the flare hit the funnel of the vessel and forced the company to stop its Calais operation.

BBC reporter Fiona Irving said the incident happened after passengers had disembarked and while the crew prepared for the next sailing.

On Tuesday, Mr Jensen said: "The reassurance we have had from the port and authorities together with our own assessment of the situation has prompted the decision to start an operation again this morning."