A tanker carrying jet fuel for the US military struck a container ship off the coast of northeast England on Monday, causing a fire, several explosions, and prompting both crews to abandon ship.
The tanker, Stena Immaculate, was anchored off Hull when it was hit by the Solong, a Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel, which burst its fuel tank and released fuel into the sea, its owner Crowley confirmed. The tanker was on a US government contract delivering fuel to the military. A US Navy official said the ship was on short-term charter to the Military Sealift Command.
Both vessels were badly damaged, said Ernst Russ, owner of Solong, based in Hamburg. The crew of 14 on the Solong were largely evacuated, but one is still missing.
Helicopters, planes, lifeboats, and fireboats were used by authorities to battle the blaze and help the crew. Emergency responders accounted for 32 casualties, but only one was still in the hospital by mid-afternoon.
Environmentalists forecasted a possible ecological calamity since the Solong was transporting 15 tanks of sodium cyanide, a highly toxic substance applied in gold mining, and some unspecified amount of alcohol.
The accident was reported at about 1000 GMT as the Solong sailed through the North Sea off the British coast of Humberside. The reason for the collision is subject to investigation, but maritime security officials have excluded foul play.
Attempts to cordon off the fuel spill and evaluate environmental threats are continuing as officials keep the situation under surveillance.
