"We picked up a shoe, a slipper, and a sweater from the water"

Search and rescue operations are continuing in Stenungsund, Sweden, after a collision between two recreational boats and a cargo ship resulted in the disappearance of an adult woman and a child. The incident occurred Tuesday night on Hakefjorden, an area known for its boating activity.

Robert Skov, a crew member with the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, described the challenging conditions during the initial search. "The waves were about a meter high. We picked up a shoe, a slipper, and a sweater from the water," he said. Skov, who has been involved with the society for 21 years, was part of a large-scale search effort that began shortly after the alarm was raised.

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The waves were about a meter high. We picked up a shoe, a slipper, and a sweater from the water.

The collision reportedly involved a Norwegian-registered cargo ship traveling south and two recreational boats. The area is a known spot for boaters, and residents like Lars-Åke Hannebjörk, who has lived in the vicinity his entire life, expressed deep concern. "What happened is terrible," he stated when accompanying reporters to the search area.

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What happened is terrible.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, which took place in darkness and adverse weather. Hannebjörk noted the difficulties boaters can face when navigating busy shipping lanes with larger vessels. "I know what it's like to meet them; they are big, it's hard to judge their speed and your own position. It's simply inappropriate to be close," he explained.

The search effort has involved multiple boats from the Swedish Sea Rescue Society, the Coast Guard, police, a pilot boat, and a rescue helicopter. SAR buoys have been deployed to help track potential drift patterns of the missing individuals and any debris.

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I know what it's like to meet them; they are big, it's hard to judge their speed and your own position. It's simply inappropriate to be close.