At least three people have been killed after a container ship ploughed into a control tower in northern Italy.

Six others are seriously injured and several more are missing, following the crash in the port city of Genoa.

Two of the dead are believed to be harbour officials - with the third, one of the pilots.

14 people were in the tower when part of it crashed into the water on impact.

One of the victims is thought to be a woman in her 30s, while the other two are men.

Rescue workers are searching the port for 10 people who are believed to be missing.

Shipping company expresses shock

An employee of the Messina Line company, based in Genoa which owns the vessel, confirmed "there was an accident when the ship was leaving the port".

"It ran into the tower, but we don't know why at this point, nor how many people are hurt," he said.

The container ship, the Italian Jolly Nero, is almost 200m (655ft) long, 30m (98ft) wide, and weighs over 40,500 tonnes.

The ship's owner, Stefano Messina, said: "We are all utterly shocked. Nothing like this has ever happened before, we are desperate."

New reports said the captain was being questioned by police.

The impact happened during a shift change at the tower which meant that more people were present.