Dutch islanders comb beach for washed-up shoe cargo

AMSTERDAM - Thousands of sports shoes washed up onto a Dutch island today after a passing container ship lost part of its cargo, attracting hundreds of local residents anxious to find their size.

Nine containers from the Hamburg-bound ship drifted ashore on the island of Terschelling after an overnight storm, packed with shoes, aluminium briefcases, toys and hamburgers.

Most containers remained sealed, Dutch evening paper Het Parool reported, and police were guarding their contents, although they turned a blind eye to any locals selecting a few shoes.

The last good opportunity for beachcombing here was about 15 years ago, said local newspaper reporter Annemarie Brink.

"Then it was a case of toys, shirts and rain jackets. You'd still see islanders walking around in them years afterwards."

- REUTERS