Royal Navy sailors rushed to hospital after drinking water on HMS Portland is ‘contaminated’

Royal Navy sailors were rushed to hospital today after drinking contaminated water on a ship, it has been alleged.

Frigate HMS Portland was said to have diverted to Portsmouth Naval Base today after a sailor noticed the warship’s drinking water had been ‘contaminated’. 

A defence source told MailOnline that a number of sailors have been taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.  

The source said: ‘The situation is quite serious. The ship has done everything they should do. They found out about it this morning and came alongside in Portsmouth.

 Frigate HMS Portland (pictured) was said to have diverted to Portsmouth Naval Base today after a sailor noticed the warship’s drinking water had been ‘contaminated’

‘They have got scientists on board investigating. The water has been contaminated by something. A number of personnel have been taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital for treatment.’

However, it is understood that the number of those impacted is still being investigated. 

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the water had been contaminated but MailOnline is awaiting further comment.  

Reports come after  HMS Portland announced that it was monitoring Russian warship

Reports of water contamination comes just weeks after HMS Portland announced that it was monitoring Russian warship Admiral Gorshkov and its accompanying tanker Kama as they sail into the North Sea.

HMS Portland departed from its home port at Plymouth on Saturday, January 7.

In a statement, HMS Portland’s Commanding Officer Commander Ed Moss-Ward said: ‘Escorting warships in UK territorial waters and the adjacent sea areas is routine activity for the Royal Navy.’