Tragedy Strikes as Tugboat Sinks Near Piteå, Rescue Efforts Ongoing

A tugboat sinking near Piteå has led to one crew member missing and a significant search operation underway.

Key Points

  • • A tugboat sank off Piteå, leaving one crew member missing.
  • • Three crew members have been rescued, treated for hypothermia.
  • • Search efforts are ongoing but have been scaled back due to time constraints.
  • • The police are investigating the incident as a workplace accident.

In a maritime safety incident that has rattled the region, a tugboat sank off the coast of Piteå, Sweden, in the early morning hours of June 1, 2025, leaving one crew member missing. The incident occurred at approximately 4:41 AM when the vessel, registered in Sweden and towing a timber barge, issued a mayday call indicating it was taking on water, south of the Rödkallen lighthouse.

Three of the four crew members aboard managed to escape to the barge. They were subsequently rescued by the Swedish Sea Rescue Society and treated for hypothermia before being transported to Renö harbor. Initial reports indicate that they were conscious, but their condition required medical attention due to the cold water exposure during the rescue efforts.

As of 10 AM, a large-scale search operation was underway, led by a Coast Guard vessel, with support from two rescue boats, two pilot boats, and helicopters from the Coast Guard and Finnish authorities. However, search efforts are being gradually scaled back as the hours pass due to concerns about the chances of survival for the missing crew member, particularly given the region's low water temperatures, noted Johan Wahlström, spokesperson for the Swedish Maritime Administration.

The police have launched an investigation into the sinking, classifying it as a workplace accident. They have commenced interviews with the rescued crew members and will delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident. As the search continues, authorities remain hopeful, yet the situation is increasingly dire as time progresses.