Three German tourists have been killed after the foremast of the yacht they were sailing in broke off and crushed them off the coast of the Frisian village of Harlingen.

The skipper of the boat, who also owned it, has been arrested, broadcaster NOS said.

The three dead are German holidaymakers aged 19, 43 and 48. There were 14 people on board the boat when the mast snapped – 12 members of a German family, the skipper and his wife.

The Dutch safety board has begun an investigation into the seaworthiness of the yacht, which is said to date from 1898. It is as yet unclear what exactly happened on board.

Harlingen is a fishing village on the Wadden Sea and a popular holiday resort. The yacht was on its way back to the harbour after a trip on the open water when the accident happened.