Denmark Missile Develops Technical Error, Major Shipping Strait Closed

The danger area is estimated to be up to 5-7 kilometres from naval station Korsor, at a height of approximately 1000 metres above the water.

A Danish missile could launch any minute due to a technical error, the country's navy said on Thursday. This forced authorities in Denmark to close an area of airspace and warn ships of potential accidental strike, according to a CNN report. Denmark's armed forces said the technical error arose on a harpoon missile on board frigate HDMS Niels Juel during a mandatory test. The military vessel is stationed in Denmark's Great Belt strait, the main maritime gateway to the Baltic Sea.

The booster on the missile on board the ship was activated and it cannot be deactivated, the Danish armed forces said in a statement, adding that specialists are on their way to prevent any untoward incident.

"Until the booster is disabled, there is a risk that the missile could launch and fly several kilometers away," the statement said.