An oil tanker has burst into flames after being struck by a cargo vessel off the coast of Yorkshire – sparking fears of an environmental disaster.
US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, was hit while at anchor by the Portugal-flagged container ship, MV Solong, off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull, this morning.
Footage shared by the BBC appears to show huge plumes of black smoke rising from the scene of the smash, as a large inferno rages out of control.
Both ships are now ablaze, with fires also raging on the water.
A massive rescue mission now underway, with coastguards have issued an urgent call for ships to join a search and rescue effort.
Helicopters are on the scene where the 600ft-long MV Stena Immaculate – which is understood to have been carrying a large supply of jet fuel – is ablaze.
Lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes, have been scrambled, as well as a number of firefighters.
Civilian boats have also reportedly answered the call for aid, with ship tracking site Marinetraffic showing a number of craft around the stricken vessels.
Footage appears to show both vessels ablaze off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull
US-flagged tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, was hit while at anchor by the Portugal-flagged container ship, MV Solong, off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull, this morning.
An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: ‘HM Coastguard is currently co-ordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire.
‘The alarm was raised at 9.48am.
‘A Coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.
‘The incident remains ongoing.’
Maritime experts at Navy Lookout tweeted about the incident on X, writing: ‘Search & Rescue helicopters attending Oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate on fire after being struck by container ship MV Solong while at anchor off the Humber Estuary this morning.’
Specialist vessels with firefighting hoses have reportedly been sent to the scene to try and quell the inferno.
It’s unknown how many people – if any – have been injured.
However, the BBC has reported that a number of sailors have abandoned the ships following the collision.
In a recording reportedly of the coastguard’s alert to the disaster, sailors were warned: ‘Solong has collided with tanker Stena Immaculate in the outer anchorage. Both vessels are abandoning.
‘Vessels who have firefighting equipment or who can assist with search and rescue [should] contact Humber coastguard on Channel 16.
Stena Immaculate is a US-flagged ship was reportedly carrying jet fuel when it collided with another vessel
‘Vessel Stena Immaculate is carrying jet A-1 fuel which is on fire and in the water. Request vessels remain at a safe distance.’
It’s believed Stena Immaculate had travelled from the Greek port of Agioi Theodoroi, and was anchored outside Hull.
The 461ft Solong, meanwhile, had been sailing from the Scottish port of Grangemouth to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
The ship displaces 7,852 ton and is thought to have been carrying commercial goods. It was built in 2005.
The 600ft Stena Immaculate, built in 2017, is far larger, weighing in at 29,854 tons.
