The Stena Immaculate and Solong crashed earlier this morning, causing a dramatic series of explosions off the coast of Grimsby that bathed the area in thick black smoke
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Stena Immaculate: Dramatic mayday call as oil tanker in flames
The North Sea crash that ejected plumes of black smoke into the air above Grimsby this morning has captured headlines across the UK and beyond – here is everything we know about the shock incident.
The shock clash between the US-flagged MV Stena Immaculate tanker and container ship Solong – took place at around 10am today, with the former ship dramatically catching fire as it was docked at Grimsby port. Pictures shared by onlookers showed the tanker almost completely obscured by smoke, with details having emerged since revealing it was carrying unstable materials.
Investigations started while the tanker was still in flames, headed by the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), with officials expected to start preliminary proceedings today. While many facts around the case remain up in the air, there are some early confirmed facts.
Alarm was raised at port after 9.38am
An unnamed trawlerman said a mayday call was issued after the fire began, with plumes of smoke and the smell of burning dominating the area where the crash took place. The alarm was raised at 9.48am, and urged vessels “with firefighting equipment or who can assist with search and rescue to contact Humber Coast Guard on Channel 16” to come to the aid.
The trawlerman added: “Vessel Stena Immaculate is carrying Jet A-1 fuel which is on fire and in the water. Request vessels remain at a safe distance.”
There were 37 crew members involved in the incident
Local officials have revealed that 37 crew members across both the Solong and Stena were aboard when the crash took place this morning. Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverly and Holderness, said one of the crew was in hospital, while the “other 36 mariners across both crews are safe and accounted for”.
One crew member is missing
The Solong’s owner, shipping firm Ernst Russ, said a search was underway for a missing crew member, but its remaining 13 were safe following the incident. Matthew Atkinson, divisional commander for HM Coastguard, said: “Thirty-six crew members were taken safely to shore, one person was taken to hospital.
“One crew member of the Solong remains unaccounted for. After an extensive search for the missing crew member, sadly they have not been found and the search has ended. The two vessels remain on fire and coastguard aircraft are monitoring the situation. An assessment of any required counter pollution response is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”
Jet fuel has spilled into Grimsby port
Florida-based Crowley, the firm managing the Stena, revealed jet fuel was on board the tanker at the time of the crash, with the Immaculate sustaining a “ruptured cargo tank” that sent the fuel into the sea. A representative said: “Crowley immediately initiated its emergency vessel response plan and is actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel.
“Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment. We will provide more updates as information becomes available.”
The cargo container was carrying toxic sodium cyanide
The Solong cargo container was carrying more than a dozen containers of sodium cyanide – a toxic compound used in industrial cleaning – when the crash took place. Officials have not yet said whether the substance had leaked into the sea at the port of Grimsby, or if it had come into contact with the fire and become a toxic gas.