A collision between an oil tanker and a cargo ship in the North Sea off England’s coast on Monday sparked a massive fire, leaving 32 people injured, authorities confirmed.
Major Rescue Operation Underway
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency dispatched multiple lifeboats and a rescue helicopter to the scene near East Yorkshire, where thick black smoke and flames were seen rising from the vessels. Emergency responders worked to bring the injured to shore for treatment.
Grimsby port director Martin Boyers told AFP that three vessels carried the injured to land, where ambulances were waiting to transport them to hospitals. “Ambulances were queuing on the quay,” he said.
Ships and Crew Details
The oil tanker involved, Stena Immaculate, is owned by Swedish firm Stena Bulk and operated by US-based maritime company Crowley. The ship was carrying petroleum products and had traveled from Greece, according to Bloomberg.
The cargo ship, Solong, sails under a Portuguese flag and is owned by German company Reederei Koepping, as per MarineTraffic.
Stena Bulk spokesperson Lena Alvling confirmed to AFP that all crew members were accounted for. However, some reports indicated that several people abandoned the vessel following the collision.
Authorities Responding
The UK Coast Guard, which is leading the rescue efforts, said it was also assessing potential environmental risks, including oil spills.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed concern over the incident. “I am liaising with officials and HM Coastguard as the situation develops,” she said, thanking emergency services for their swift response.
The alarm about the collision was raised at 09:48 GMT near Hull, East Yorkshire. The rescue operation includes a Coast Guard helicopter, aircraft, lifeboats from four towns, and several nearby vessels.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated that efforts are currently focused on firefighting and search and rescue operations.
Sources By Agencies
