Denmark shuts shipping strait over missile failure

The Danish military says a missile failure on a navy ship has triggered the closure of airspace and shipping lanes near a major shipping strait off the Danish coast.

The National Maritime Authority issued a warning for ships to avoid part of the Great Belt strait due to a risk of "falling missile fragments".

Ships have been asked to drop anchor if necessary.

A naval exercise began in the area last March and is due to end on Friday.

In a statement, the Danish military said the problem with the missile occurred "during a mandatory test where the missile launcher is activated and cannot be deactivated."

"Until the missile launcher is deactivated, there is a risk that the missile can fire and fly a few kilometres away," the military added. It provided a map of the area off the coast of the town of Korsor.