More than 30 individuals sustained injuries following a fire outbreak on an oil tanker that was struck by a cargo vessel off the UK coast. The US-flagged MC Stena Immaculate oil tanker, carrying 70,000 tonnes of highly flammable gas oil, was at anchor in the Humber Estuary in Hull when the Portugal-flagged Solong cargo vessel collided with it. Both ships’ crews evacuated during the incident, which occurred just before 10 am.
The CEO of the Port of Grimsby East confirmed a significant recovery operation is in progress as the injured are brought ashore. Among the 32 injured crew members, 13 were from one ship, 10 from a pilot boat, and nine from a third vessel. A Stena representative verified that all crew members on the US-flagged tanker were safe.
Over 20 casualties have been brought to shore in Grimsby following the collision. Martyn Boyers, the CEO of the Port of Grimsby East, mentioned that initially, 13 casualties arrived on a Wiindcat 33 vessel, followed by 10 on a harbour pilot boat.
Boyers reported witnessing a massive fireball from a distance of about 10 miles, stating that emergency vessels were brought in to assist. Coastguard rescue helicopters from Humberside, lifeboats from various locations, and firefighting vessels were dispatched to the scene. Images display a large cloud of black smoke enveloping the horizon where the two ships are located amidst the ongoing blaze.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution confirmed that both vessels were ablaze, and the crew had abandoned ship after the collision. Following a mayday call from the captain to the Humber Coastguard, it was revealed that the tanker was carrying jet fuel which had spilled into the water.
The UK Coastguard described the situation as an ongoing incident, coordinating the response to the collision between the tanker and cargo vessel off the East Yorkshire coast. The US-flagged ship had departed from Agioi Theodoroi Port in Greece, while the Solong had sailed from Grangemouth to Hull.
The Labour Secretary of State for Transport expressed concerns over the collision on Twitter and commended the emergency service workers for their efforts in responding to the incident.