A collision between a cargo ship and a tanker carrying jet fuel occurred off the UK coast on Monday, resulting in fires on both vessels and prompting a large-scale rescue operation, according to emergency services.
While at least 32 individuals were evacuated to shore, their conditions remain unclear. The tanker’s operator confirmed that all crew members were safe.
The MV Stena Immaculate, a chemical and oil products tanker operated by U.S.-based Crowley Ship Management, was anchored near Grimsby port on Monday morning after arriving from Greece, as reported by VesselFinder. The Solong, a container ship sailing under the Portuguese flag, was en route from Grangemouth, Scotland, to Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Crowley Ship Management stated that the Stena Immaculate “sustained a ruptured cargo tank containing Jet-A1 fuel” following the collision with the container ship, which led to a fire and “multiple explosions onboard,” with fuel leaking into the sea.
The company confirmed the safety and accountability of all mariners on the tanker.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, reported that 13 casualties were initially transported by a Windcat 33 high-speed vessel, followed by another 19 on a harbor pilot boat.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency stated that multiple lifeboats, a coast guard rescue helicopter, and a coast guard plane were deployed to the incident site.
The collision occurred off the coast of Hull, approximately 155 miles north of London.
Coast guards indicated that the alarm was raised at 9:48 a.m. (0948 GMT). Humber Coast Guard issued a radio broadcast requesting vessels with firefighting equipment and those capable of assisting with search and rescue to proceed to the location.
The RNLI lifeboat agency reported that “there were reports that a number of people had abandoned the vessels following a collision and there were fires on both ships.” They added that three lifeboats were engaged in search and rescue operations alongside the coast guard.
Video footage broadcast by news outlets, seemingly captured from a nearby vessel, depicted thick black smoke billowing from both ships.
Boyers, the port chief, mentioned being informed of “a massive fireball.”
“It’s too far out for us to see – about 10 miles – but we have seen the vessels bringing them in,” he said. “They must have sent a mayday out. Luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already. Since then, there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.”
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that she was being regularly updated on the evolving situation.
“I want to thank all involved for their continued efforts in responding to the incident,” she said.
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