London, United Kingdom – A cargo ship carrying hazardous chemicals collided with a US military-chartered oil tanker off the northeast coast of England, leading to a dramatic rescue operation and fears of environmental damage.
The collision involved a Portuguese-flagged container ship named Solong and the oil tanker Stena Immaculate, which was anchored in the North Sea. While most of the crew from the Solong were safely brought to shore, one crew member was reported missing. Both vessels sustained significant damage and a subsequent fire following the impact.
Crowley, the logistics firm managing the Stena Immaculate, confirmed the safety of its crew, and 36 patients were treated by ambulance services. The Solong was carrying alcohol and containers of sodium cyanide, a highly toxic chemical that can release hydrogen cyanide gas. The severity of the environmental impact from the spilled chemicals remained uncertain.
The Stena Immaculate, transporting military jet fuel and marine diesel, was en route to Killingholme, England. The tanker had left a Greek port before the collision occurred. Experts mentioned that jet fuel spills generally have a lesser impact on the environment compared to crude oil spills, as jet fuel evaporates quickly and can be degraded by bacteria.
Despite the relatively lesser environmental impact of jet fuel spills, there were concerns raised about the potential harm to marine life posed by the chemicals onboard the vessels. Environmental organizations, such as Greenpeace UK, called for measures to contain the release of toxic substances to prevent an environmental disaster.
Authorities and investigation agencies were looking into the cause of the collision, which raised questions about maritime safety standards and the detection capabilities of vessels. Ensuring the protection of marine life and coastal ecosystems remained a primary concern in the aftermath of the incident.