Fires still burning and one missing after tanker collision

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the oil tanker "Stena Immaculate," carrying aviation fuel, and the cargo ship "Solong," carrying highly toxic chemicals, are still ablaze after colliding in the North Sea on Monday morning. The UK Coastguard stated that one crew member remains missing, and the search has been called off. The incident has raised concerns about maritime safety and environmental protection in the region.

The accident involved the US-registered oil tanker "Stena Immaculate," which transports fuel on behalf of the US military, and the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship "Solong." Coastguard Commander Matthew Atkinson stated that 36 people had been rescued, with one person taken to the hospital. The missing crew member is from the "Solong" cargo ship, highlighting the human cost of the accident.

According to a crew member on the oil tanker, speaking to BBC News, the "Solong" appeared suddenly and struck the "Stena Immaculate" at a speed of 16 knots. The crew members only took their personal belongings and urgently boarded life rafts to escape. Maritime company Crowley stated that "multiple explosions" occurred on board after the "Stena Immaculate's" cargo hold ruptured, causing significant damage.

Work is still underway to assess the environmental damage after it was confirmed that some aviation fuel had leaked into the sea near the Humber Estuary. US officials confirmed that the oil tanker was carrying aviation fuel "in support of the Department of Defense," but stated that the incident would not affect operations or readiness. The Transport Secretary praised the efforts of the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and the emergency services.

Multiple vessels participated in the rescue operation, including a Coastguard rescue helicopter, four lifeboats, and nearby ships with firefighting capabilities. Svitzer's Managing Director Michael Patterson stated that the company dispatched four vessels, which have been "fighting the fire and battling the flames since they arrived." He also emphasized that oil and aviation fuel posed problems, as they are not only flammable but also produce smoke and toxins, adding that the priority was saving the crew and that it was one of the worst accidents he had ever seen.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch stated that a team of inspectors and support staff had begun collecting evidence and was conducting an initial assessment to determine the next steps. Coastguard Commander Atkinson stated that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency was assessing any required counter-pollution response measures. The Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is working with salvors and insurers to address the situation effectively.

According to MarineTraffic data, the "Stena Immaculate" departed from the port of Agioi Theodoroi in Greece and was anchored near the Humber Estuary. The "Solong" was sailing from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The cargo ship was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide chemicals when it collided with the oil tanker. Sodium cyanide has various commercial uses, from metal electroplating to dye production, and is a highly dangerous substance.

It is currently unclear whether any sodium cyanide from the cargo ship has leaked into the sea. Alastair Hay, a professor of environmental toxicology at the University of Leeds, stated that if sodium cyanide comes into contact with water, "it could produce some hydrogen cyanide gas, which could pose a risk to anyone involved in the rescue." Greenpeace stated that it was "deeply concerned" about the "multiple toxic hazards" caused by the North Sea ship collision. Downing Street stated that details of the cause of the collision were "still emerging." The Prime Minister's official spokesperson stated that it was an "extremely concerning situation" and thanked the emergency services for their rapid response.

P&O Ferries stated that the Humber Estuary remains closed to all traffic, and departure times from Hull and Rotterdam on Monday evening remained unconfirmed. The closure is causing disruptions to shipping schedules and impacting trade routes, with potential economic consequences for the affected ports and businesses.