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More than 30 casualties have been brought ashore after an oil tanker collided with a cargo vessel in the North Sea, causing a “massive fireball”.
The condition of those injured remains unclear with lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter scrambling to the scene following reports that a “number of people” had abandoned both ships.
The collision occurred in the Humber Estuary on Monday morning with the alarm first raised at 9.48am. The incident is believed to involve a US-flagged tanker called the MV Stena Immaculate, which is understood to have been carrying aviation fuel.
The chief executive of Stena Immaculate has confirmed to the BBC that all crew have been accounted for and are safe.
According to the ship tracking tool Vesselfinder, the American tanker was at anchor when it collided with the Portugese-flagged ship MV Solong.
A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: “HM Coastguard is currently co-ordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire.
“The alarm was raised at 9.48am.
“A Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.
“The incident remains ongoing.”
Investigators deployed to Grimsby
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has sent investigators to Grimsby following the crash between two vessels in the North Sea.
A spokesperson said: “The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed a team to Grimsby following the collision of the Portuguese-registered container ship Solong and the US-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate which collided in the North Sea this morning.
“Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.”
Everything we know about Stena Immaculate oil tanker and cargo vessel collision
My colleague Bryony Gooch reports:
Stella Immaculate partially loaded with cargo
The US-flagged Stena Immaculate chemical tanker is partially loaded with cargo, shipping data showed.
It was not clear if there was any fuel leak from the collision.
Pictured | Emergency services try to put out flame
Stena Immaculate was part of fleet available to US military
A 2023 statement by shipping manager Crowley shows the Stena Immaculate was part of tanker fleet that can be used by the US military.
“The tankers will continue international commercial operations but can be chartered on a short-term basis to serve the US government’s operations,” the statement from the US firm said.
New pictures show Stena Immaculate engulfed in flames
All 32 casualties brought in alive, says port chief
Speaking to Sky News, the chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East said that all 32 casualties were brought in alive.
Martin Boyers said that he was told to be on standby at around 11am to receive casualties, and that the first boat arrived with 13 people on board.
“We were put on standby around about 11 o’clock to receive casualties – not knowing what condition they were in,” he said.
He continued: “There was a line of ambulances waiting to take them to the Princess Diana hospital.
“They were alive. We didn’t see [more] the area was sectioned off by police. I do know that they were all alive.”
What do we know about both ships?
It’s understood that the MV Stena Immaculate had travelled from the Greek port of Agioi Theodoroi, and was anchored outside Hull.
It is part of a programme by the US Department of Defence and the US Maritime Administration which is capable of transporting oil for the US army in “times of need”.
The 461ft Portuguese-flagged Solong had been sailing from the Scottish port of Grangemouth to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
It was built in 2005 and has the capacity to carry 9,500 tonnes and is thought to be carrying out commercial goods.
The 600ft Stena Immaculate was constructed in 2017, according to the website Martime Optima, and weighs nearly 50,000 tonnes.
Accident investigators arrive to gather evidence
Accident investigators have arrived at the scene in Grimsby to begin gathering evidence as the incident remains ongoing.
A spokesperson for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said: “The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has deployed a team to Grimsby following the collision of the Portuguese registered container ship Solong and the US registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate which collided in the North Sea this morning.
“Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.”
All Stena Immaculate crew accounted for and safe
The BBC has reported that the chief executive Stena Bulk, Erik Hanell, has confirmed that all the crew of the oil tanker the MV Stena Immaculate have been accounted for and are safe.
More than 20 people have reportedly been brought to shore.
Mr Hanell also said it was too early to speculate on the cause of the collision.
Source: independent.co.uk
