This morning, the oil tanker Stena Immaculate and the container ship Solong collided in the North Sea , triggering a fire on the tanker and triggering an extensive rescue operation. According to MarineTraffic reports, the impact occurred at 09:48 UTC near the Humber Estuary, when the Stena Immaculate was at anchor and was hit by the Solong, which was sailing in the area.
Fire on board after collision in the North Sea
Following the collision, explosions were recorded on the tanker and fire spread across the deck. The Stena Immaculate ‘s crew was evacuated in an emergency, with some sailors rescued in lifeboats. Helicopters, civilian vessels and emergency boats were immediately deployed to assist in the rescue operation. Witnesses reported seeing a huge fireball following the impact.
The Portuguese-flagged Solong suffered structural damage but has not reported any serious incidents with its crew. Some experts say the cargo ship may not have maintained adequate radar surveillance, which may have contributed to the collision.
Environmental risk from fuel spills
The Stena Immaculate was carrying 18,000 tonnes of Jet A-1, a type of aviation fuel. While this fuel tends to evaporate more quickly than crude oil, environmental authorities have expressed concern about a possible spill and its effects on marine life. According to the El Mundo website, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has announced an “assessment” of a “probable” risk of contamination.
Emergency crews are still working at the scene of the incident to extinguish the fire and ensure the safety of the crew. The British government has declared that the situation is “extremely worrying” and that an investigation will be carried out to determine the exact causes of the accident.
This incident has caused alarm in the maritime and environmental community, while the authorities continue to monitor the situation and the evolution of the fuel spill in the North Sea.
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Source: MarineTraffic
Photo: BBC
