A U.S.-flagged oil tanker ship was hit by a cargo ship in the North Sea off the coast of the United Kingdom on Monday, resulting in explosions and fires on both ships that led to a rescue operation.
According to Fox News, at least 32 individuals were rescued and transported to shore following Monday’s incident. The outlet reported that the Solong, a Portugal-flagged container ship, hit the MV Stena Immaculate, a U.S-flagged chemical and oil tanker, as the U.S.-flagged ship was anchored off the coast of the United Kingdom on Monday morning.
A picture and video shared on X, formerly Twitter, show the massive fire that was caused by Monday’s vessel collision.
In a Monday press release, Crowley confirmed that the Stena Immaculate was “struck on its port side by the container ship Solong” at roughly 5 a.m. (EST). The company noted that at least one of the Stena Immaculate’s cargo tanks containing Jet-A1 fuel was “ruptured” due to the incident.
In a statement obtained by The Daily Wire, Crowley said, “The Stena Immaculate sustained a ruptured cargo tank containing Jet-A1 fuel due to the allision. A fire occurred as a result of the allision, and fuel was reported released.”
According to The Daily Wire, the crew of the U.S.-flagged vessel abandoned the ship after multiple explosions were reported after the Stena Immaculate was hit by the Solong.
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“Crowley immediately initiated its emergency vessel response plan and is actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel,” Crowley added in a statement obtained by The Daily Wire. “Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment.”
As of Tuesday morning, the BBC reported that one crew member was still missing following Monday’s collision.
A video shared on social media shows a Coast Guard helicopter flying above the fire caused by the Solong hitting the Stena Immaculate.
According to USNI News, the Stena Immaculate was fulfilling a 70-day contract by Military Sealift Command in support of the Defense Logistics Agency, which manages the U.S. military’s fuel.
In Monday’s press release, Crowley stated, “While under charter on this voyage for the Military Sealift Command, the tanker was anchored while it awaited berth availability at the Port of Killingholme, where it was due to make a standard delivery of fuel as part of a routine service under this program when it was struck.”
USNI News added that a U.S. official assured reporters, “The collision and ensuing explosions will not impact operations or combat readiness. We do not have a single point of failure.”
According to The Telegraph, officials have not ruled out foul play as a potential cause for Monday’s collision.
