Tehran: An oil tanker and a cargo ship have collided off the coast of the UK, resulting in fires on board both vessels, the UK's coastguard reported.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, there are reports that a number of people have abandoned the vessels, which are said to be on fire. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stated that it had dispatched four crews to the scene following the collision, which was reported just before 9:50 a.m. local time.