Crew member missing and vessels still on fire after collision in North Sea

Just before 10:00 GMT on Monday [10], the Stena Immaculate – a US oil tanker – was hit by the Portuguese cargo ship, the Solong, while at anchor off the East Yorkshire coast in a busy shipping area.

Thirty-six people have been brought ashore after the collision and one member of the cargo vessel was missing.

Matthew Atkinson, divisional commander for HM Coastguard said: “After an extensive search for the missing crew member sadly he has not been found and the search has ended.”

He confirmed that 36 crew members from both ships were taken safely to shore, and one person was taken to hospital.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is assessing any necessary response to potential pollution, he adds.

Both vessels caught fire, and twelve hours on, they are continuing to burn.

The Stena Immaculate was carrying jet fuel for the US government when it was struck, some of which is spilling into the sea, sparking concerns for the marine life in the area.

The Solong was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide among its cargo, according to a report. It’s unclear if any has entered the water.

[BBC]