A US oil tanker reportedly caught fire after a collision with another ship near England’s coast this morning, resulting in at least 32 casualties.
Currently, a large-scale maritime rescue operation is being conducted in the North Sea just off the East Yorkshire coast in the UK. The incident involved two vessels, one of which was reportedly loaded with jet fuel, colliding earlier today.
According to HM Coastguard, the collision took place near the Humber Estuary, with authorities being alerted around 9.48 am today (Monday, March 10).
The crash is thought to involve the US-flagged Stena Immaculate, which was anchored off the Humber Estuary after its voyage from Greece, and the Portuguese-flagged MV Solong, which was traveling from Scotland to Rotterdam, Netherlands, as reported by news sources.
Reports indicate that the oil tanker, transporting a highly flammable substance, was stationary when it was hit by the Solong.
Martyn Boyers, CEO of the Port of Grimsby East, reported that initially, 13 casualties were brought ashore, followed by an additional 10 on a harbour pilot boat, and another nine in a subsequent rescue operation.
Both vessels reportedly remain engulfed in flames, with several crew members still missing after escaping into the sea to avoid the intense fire.
The RNLI noted reports of individuals abandoning the ships to escape the fire, and emergency call recordings further confirm that crews decided to evacuate the vessels.
In one call, a distressed individual stated: “Solong collided with tanker Stena Immaculate. Both vessels are abandoning,” according to The Sun.
“Vessels with firefighting capabilities or those that can assist in search and rescue should contact Humber Coastguard on [radio] channel 16.
“The vessel Stena Immaculate is carrying Jet A1 fuel, which is on fire and in the water. Request vessels maintain a safe distance.”
Boyers remarked: “It’s too far out for us to see – about 10 miles – but we have witnessed the vessels bringing people in.”
“They must have issued a mayday call – fortunately, there was already a crew transfer vessel in the vicinity.”
“Since then, there’s been a stream of ambulances to gather anyone they can locate.”
The current condition of the casualties is still uncertain.
A representative from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch also informed the BBC: “The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has sent a team to Grimsby following the collision between the Portuguese-registered container ship Solong and the US-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea this morning.
“Our team of inspectors and support staff are collecting evidence and conducting a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our subsequent actions.”