North Sea collision live updates: Search for missing cargo ship crew member ends as fire still burns on oil tanker – UK Times

Authorities have not ruled out foul play in the collision between a US military-chartered oil tanker and a cargo ship carrying toxic chemicals in the North Sea, The Telegraph reported.

The crash triggered multiple explosions and a chemical spill, raising concerns among marine experts that the incident may not have been accidental.

A government source told The Telegraph that while early investigations have found no indication of foul play in the incident, it has not been ruled out.

However, poor visibility has also been cited as a possible factor.

The Solong was transporting “an unknown quantity of alcohol and 15 containers of sodium cyanide”, according to Lloyd’s List.

It remains unclear whether the cyanide has entered the water.

Sodium cyanide can release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas, which disrupts the body’s ability to use oxygen, according to the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) also notes that sodium cyanide can convert into hydrogen cyanide upon contact with water.

Thirty-six casualties have been brought ashore but one member of the Portugal-registered MV Solong crew was still missing as night fell off the coast of Grimsby, according to the ship’s Hamburg-based owner, Ernst Russ.

Jet fuel destined for the US Airforce on board US-flagged MV Stena Immaculate reportedly leaked into the water after it was struck by the smaller vessel.

In an update late on Monday, Crowley, who manage the oil tanker, said at least one cargo tank carrying jet fuel was ruptured in the collision.

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The crew of the Stena Immaculate tanker are “safe and accounted for” after jet fuel was released during the crash, Crowley, which manages the vessel, has said.

Lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter were called to the collision in the Humber Estuary just before 10am.

A spokesperson for the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it has deployed investigators to Grimsby.

US logistics group Crowley, which manages the oil tanker Stena Immaculate, confirmed that the vessel released some jet fuel due to a ruptured cargo tank.

The company said it had activated its emergency response plan and is “actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel”.

Crowley emphasised that its “first priority is the safety of the people and environment” and promised further updates as more information becomes available.

The BBC said they saw survivors of the collision being boarded onto lifeboats and towed into Grimsby, escaping with very little.

One crew member said he fled the ship with just his wallet and his phone.

He told a reporter that the cargo ship – Solong – just came out of the blue and crashed into them at a speed of 16 knots.

Some members of the Stena Immaculate oil tanker were at the Asda in Grimsby this evening buying replacement clothes.

It is understood the US and Portugal will now lead investigations into the ongoing fire in the North Sea.

Dr Tom Webb, senior lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Sheffield, said: “The wildlife of the Yorkshire coast and Humber Estuary is of immense biological, cultural and economic importance. In addition to the wealth of marine life that is present all year round, this time of the year is crucial for many migratory species.

“Chemical pollution resulting from incidents of this kind can directly impact birds, and it can also have long-lasting effects on the marine food webs that support them.”

Dr Alex Lukyanov, researcher on advanced mathematical models of oil spills from the University of Reading, said: “Oil spills like the one in the North Sea are affected by multiple factors. The size of the spill, weather conditions, sea currents, water waves, wind patterns, and the type of oil involved all play crucial roles in determining environmental outcomes.

“This particular incident is troubling because it appears to involve persistent oil, which breaks up slowly in water.”

The Stena Immaculate tanker was operating as part of the US government’s Tanker Security Programme, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.

It had been anchored while it waited for a berth to become available at the Port of Killingholme, on the River Humber, Crowley said.

According to reports, the Solong was carrying sodium cyanide, which can produce harmful gas when combined with water, but it was unclear if there had been any leak.

In an update late on Monday, Crowley, who manage the oil tanker, said at least one cargo tank carrying jet fuel was ruptured in the collision.

A spokesman said: “At this stage, it is unclear what volume of fuel may have been released as a result of the incident. At the time it was struck, the 183-meter (596-foot) Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in 16 segregated cargo tanks.

“Crowley is supporting the relevant authorities in the UK who are investigating the incident and will defer to them for any further questions on potential cause.”