London
CNN
A cargo ship collided with an oil tanker off England’s northeastern coast, causing a major fire. The British coastguard quickly responded to the emergency.
The coastguard deployed a helicopter and lifeboats from nearby towns. They also sent specialized vessels to tackle the fire in the North Sea.
Videos from the scene show dark smoke billowing into the air as flames engulf at least one of the ships.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) reported that four lifeboat crews were dispatched. They received reports of people abandoning the damaged vessels, and fires broke out on both ships.
At least 32 individuals were brought to safety, as confirmed by Martyn Boyers, the CEO of Port of Grimsby East. Ambulances were on standby to take them to the hospital.
The incident involved a US-flagged oil tanker named the Stena Immaculate and a container ship called the Solong, which sails under Madeira’s flag. The collision occurred after the Solong left the Scottish port of Grangemouth.
Stena Bulk, the tanker’s owner, confirmed that all crew members of the Stena Immaculate were safe, though they couldn’t specify how many were aboard during the collision.
The Solong was reportedly en route to Rotterdam when it crashed into the Stena Immaculate, which was anchored near Hull.
The cause of the collision remains unclear. Boyers mentioned that modern ships are equipped with advanced technology to avoid accidents, making this incident puzzling.
The Stena Immaculate is part of a fleet dedicated to supplying fuel to the U.S. military. Currently, it was transporting jet fuel after having anchored off the English coast.
During the coastguard’s rescue operation, several fast-moving ships and a tugboat were seen heading to the collision site.
The alarm went off at 9:48 a.m. local time, and the situation is ongoing. The International Maritime Organization is aware of the incident and will look into it once immediate rescue operations conclude.
Their current focus is on fighting the fire and saving lives. A full investigation will follow to understand what happened.
This story has been updated.
