North Sea Collision Sparks Fire, Fuel Spill, and Environmental Concerns

A US oil tanker and Portuguese cargo ship collided near Hull, leading to one presumed death, a captain's arrest, and fears of ecological damage.

The collision between the US-flagged oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate and Portuguese-flagged cargo ship MV Solong occurred 10 miles off the Yorkshire coast, igniting fires on both vessels.
The captain of the Solong, a 59-year-old Russian national, has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, while one crew member is presumed dead after rescue efforts were halted.
The Stena Immaculate, carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel for military use, suffered a ruptured tank, but initial assessments suggest most of the fuel evaporated due to the fire, limiting broader spill impacts.
Environmental experts warn of potential acute damage to marine ecosystems, with the incident occurring near protected areas critical for seabirds, seals, and other wildlife during a sensitive season.
Authorities are developing salvage and cleanup plans, with air quality tests showing no immediate public health risks and hazardous cargo on the Solong confirmed to be non-threatening.