Crowley, the management firm of the Stena Immaculate, stated today that the crash in the North Sea also resulted in “multiple explosions” before jet fuel was released
The Stena Immaculate oil tanker sustained a ruptured cargo tank following a smash in the North Sea today, causing what authorities believe was a jet fuel leak.
The tanker, which was reportedly carrying around 70,000 tonnes of flammable gas oil, dramatically burst into flames this morning following a clash with a cargo vessel off the UK coast. The US-flagged vessel was at the time anchored at the Humber Estuary in Hull when the Portugal-flagged Solong cargo vessel ploughed into it.
The Stena Immaculate was torn into by a second vessel ( Image: Vessel Finder)
Crewmembers abandoned both ships after the tore against one another at around 10am this morning, with the Port of Grimsby East chief executive having confirmed a huge recovery operation is now underway. Officials have since confirmed that one person is in hospital, and 32 of those who jumped ship have been injured, 13 of whom came from one of the ships, with a further 10 from a pilot boat and nine from another vessel.
Confirming the situation, local MP Graham Stuart said he had spoken to the transport secretary, adding: "The other 36 mariners across both crews are safe and accounted for." Following reports of jet fuel running into the water, he also called "for a unified command structure, to bring together government, police, Coast Guard, the Environment Agency, local authorities and your MPs".
Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, Stena representatives have confirmed all crewmembers of the US-flagged vessel have now been accounted for. But that hasn’t stopped US officials from reportedly failing to rule out foul play, with investigators yet to include how the incident was able to occur.
A senior official at the White House has said foul play "has not been ruled out", gCaptain reported, but they did not go into any detail as to what this may mean. And as investigations continue, port executives have warned that the current casualty estimates could grow.
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