Two ships on Monday collided off the eastern coast of England on Monday near the port of Grimsby involved the U.S.-flagged tanker MV Stena Immaculate—carrying jet fuel from Greece—and the Portugal-flagged container ship Solong, en route from Scotland to the Netherlands.
All 37 crew members aboard both ships have been accounted for, with one person hospitalized, according to lawmaker Graham Stuart.
The impact ruptured a cargo tank on the Stena Immaculate, releasing Jet-A1 fuel into the sea and sparking a fire with multiple explosions, said Crowley, the U.S.-based firm managing the tanker.
All 23 crew members aboard the tanker were confirmed safe.
Emergency services launched a major rescue effort, with 13 casualties brought to shore by the Windcat 33 high-speed vessel and 19 others rescued by a harbor pilot boat, according to Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East.
The U.K.’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency deployed lifeboats, a rescue helicopter, and a coast guard plane, while a mayday call prompted other vessels with firefighting equipment to assist.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution reported that some crew members had abandoned their ships as fires raged. Footage aired by the BBC showed thick black smoke billowing from both vessels.
Graham Stuart confirmed the transport secretary had assured him that rescue efforts were progressing swiftly.
U.K. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander thanked emergency responders for their “continued efforts,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to monitoring the situation.
The collision site, located about 10 miles off the coast near Hull — 155 miles north of London — remains under close observation as authorities work to contain the fire and assess environmental risks.
