The White House has not discounted the possibility of foul play as a factor in the sudden sinking of the oil tanker Stena Immaculate in the Humber Estuary following a collision with another ship. The US-flagged MC Stena Immaculate was struck by the Solong cargo vessel while anchored in Hull’s Humber Estuary this morning, leading to both crews abandoning ship and igniting a significant fireball off the British coast. The circumstances of the collision remain unclear, but all crew members from Stena have been safely evacuated. A senior White House official mentioned that foul play has not been ruled out, although no specifics were provided.
Rescue helicopters from the Coastguard base in Humberside have been dispatched, along with lifeboats from various locations. A fixed-wing aircraft and firefighting vessels are also en route. Following the collision, a distress call was made to the Humber Coastguard, with crew members fleeing the vessel to evade the intense flames. The ship was carrying jet fuel, which has spilled into the water.
The UK Coastguard is coordinating the response to the incident, which was reported at 9:48 am, involving multiple rescue assets. Pictures from nearby vessels depict the engulfed ships amidst thick black smoke visible from afar. The Stena Immaculate, a 2017-built oil tanker with a capacity of 49,000 tons and a length of 600 feet, is at the center of the maritime emergency.