Oil tanker Stena Immaculate crash sparked ‘multiple explosions’ as jet fuel leaks into water
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.
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.
A spokesperson for Florida-based Stena said in a statement that fuel was reportedly released following the crash, with “multiple explosions onboard” the Immaculate. They said: “A fire occurred as a result of the allision, and fuel was reported released. The Stena Immaculate crew abandoned the vessel following multiple explosions onboard. All Crowley mariners are safe and fully accounted for.”
Investigators are now making their way to the scene, with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch having sent a team to Grimsby to “gather evidence”. A spokesperson for the branch said they would undertake a “preliminary assessment” of the accident before progressing.
A spokesperson said: “Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.”
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