At least 32 people have been rescued after an oil tanker and cargo ship crashed off the Yorkshire coast before exploding into a ‘massive fireball’.
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.
Horrifying footage shows 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 – with port bosses saying they spotted a ‘massive fireball’.
A major rescue mission is now underway, with coastguards having issued an urgent call for ships to join the search and rescue effort.
More than 30 people have been pulled ashore, according to a local port boss.
However, it’s unclear how many of the crew from each stricken ship remain unaccounted for.
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.
A total of 32 casualties have been brought ashore at Grimsby the smash, but some crew members are yet to be accounted for, a port boss has said.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, said 13 casualties were initially brought in on a Windcat 33 vessel, followed by another 10 on a harbour pilot boat. A further nine were brought in by a harbour pilot vessel, he added.
Mr Boyers said he had been told there was ‘a massive fireball’, adding: ‘It’s too far out for us to see – about 10 miles – but we have seen the vessels bringing them in.
‘They must have sent a mayday out – luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already.
‘Since then there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.’
The casualties’ conditions remain unclear.
However, the BBC has reported that all the crew from the Stena Immaculate have been accounted for and are safe.
Fuel is understood to be leaking out across the estuary, sparking fears of an environmental disaster.
Locals have been warned to seal their windows as the huge plumes of thick black smoke billow into the sky.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘I’m concerned to hear of the collision between two vessels in the North Sea this morning and am liaising with officials and HM Coastguard as the situation develops.
‘I want to thank all emergency service workers involved for their continued efforts in responding to the incident.’
Stena Immaculate is a US-flagged ship was reportedly carrying jet fuel when it collided with another vessel
The incident took place shortly before 10am.
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.’
Specialist vessels with firefighting hoses have reportedly been sent to the scene to try and quell the inferno.
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.
‘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 and is crewed by around 20 people.
The 600ft Stena Immaculate, built in 2017, is far larger, weighing in at 29,854 tons. It has a crew of between 20 and 25 people.
Stena Bulk jointly own the ship with their US partner Crowley, who operate it.
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