Fires rage and pollution fears mount after ships collide off Yorkshire coast
An oil tanker and cargo ship caught fire after colliding in the North Sea.
The incident happened east of Hull at at around 9.48am on 10 March. HM Coastguard has confirmed that one crew member from the cargo vessel is still unaccounted for and the search has been called off.
A further 36 people have been rescued, with one person taken to hospital.
The oil tanker involved, the US-flagged MV Stena Immaculate, was heading from Agio Theodoroi in Greece to Killingholme, on the Humber. It was anchored by the Humber Estuary at the time of the collision.
The Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel, The Solong, meanwhile, had been sailing from the Scottish port of Grangemouth to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
Maritime firm Crowley, which manages the Stena Immaculate, told the BBC there had been “multiple explosions onboard” when the vessel suffered a ruptured cargo tank.
This ship is carrying jet fuel. The cargo ship was previously reported to be carrying containers of the toxic chemical sodium cyanide, but the ship’s owners have now said this is not the case.
Environmental campaign group, Greenpeace, has expressed serious concerns about the threat to marine life posed by the cargoes and bunker fuel of both the chemical tanker and container ship.
Dr Paul Johnston, a senior scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at Exeter University, said: “The jet fuel that entered the water close to a breeding ground for harbour porpoises is toxic to fish and other sea creatures.
“Any release of bunker fuel could also pose serious risks to nearby nature sanctuaries.
“Authorities need to urgently assess the situation and put in place measures to contain the release of jet fuel and any other toxic substances from the two vessels where possible. We must hope an environmental disaster can be averted.”
Councillor Anne Handley, East Riding of Yorkshire council leader, added: “This tragic incident is deeply alarming, and we are closely monitoring developments.
“Our thoughts go out to all those affected, as well as with the phenomenal work of the emergency services at this difficult time.
“East Riding of Yorkshire council will offer our full support, where necessary, to support the response to this incident.”
