Everything we know about exploded oil tanker off UK coast as US won't rule out 'foul play'

This morning (10 March), plenty of Brits got the news that a collision involving two ships had occurred off the coast of the UK.

Rescue crews were scrambled to the area to help stricken sailors, and a mayday call from the coastguard asked for vessels with firefighting equipment to get in touch.

Large amounts of smoke could be seen for miles around and reports warned that there had been explosions and a fire as a result of the collision between an oil tanker and a container ship, off of the east cost of England close to Hull.

Here's everything we know about the disaster:

What exactly happened

At around 9.48am this morning (10 March), the US-flagged oil tanker Stena Immaculate was involved in a collision with the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong.

This incident took place in the North Sea, just off the coast of the UK and a little to the east of Hull.

The tanker had set off from Agioi Theodoroi in Greece and had been heading for the port of Killingholme in the UK, and had been anchored off the British coast when it was struck.

The Solong had set off from Grangemouth in Scotland and had been on course for the Dutch port of Rotterdam.

Rescue attempts were launched and witnesses saw 'explosions' from the oil tanker as well as smoke billowing out of the ship.

It has been reported by the BBC that the Stena Immaculate was carrying cargo and fuel for the US Department of Defense.

According to gCaptain, a 'senior US official at the White House' told them that foul play had not been ruled out in the incident.

LADbible has contacted the White House for comment.

The cause of the explosion

According to the maritime firm Crowley, which manages the oil tanker Stena Immaculate, the explosion was caused by an 'allision' which ruptured a cargo tank containing jet fuel which resulted in a fire.

For reference, 'allision' refers to a maritime accident where a ship hits a stationary object, whereas a 'collision' is two moving objects hitting each other, and the tanker had appeared to be stationary and anchored at the time of the disaster.

Crowley said: "The Stena Immaculate sustained a ruptured cargo tank containing Jet-Al fuel due to the allision.

"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.

"Crowley immediately initiated its emergency vessel response plan and is actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel.

"Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment. We will provide more updates as information becomes available."

Statements from government officials

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has released a statement on the situation, saying: “We thank the emergency services for their rapid response. I understand the Department for Transport is working closely with the coastguard to help support the response to the incident.

“We’re obviously monitoring the situation, we’ll continue to co-ordinate the response and we’re grateful to emergency personnel for their continued efforts.”

Officials on Downing Street have said details of the cause of the collision were 'still becoming clear' and remained an 'extremely concerning situation', though refused to comment on a potential cause of the collision.

It was also reported that the Stena Immaculate was carrying cargo and fuel for the US Department of Defense.

Officials said: "The collision and ensuing explosions will not impact operations or combat readiness. We do not have a single point of failure."

Rescue attempts

The coastguard were on the scene quickly after the disaster with vessels and aircraft moving in to rescue stricken sailors who had abandoned ship.

A spokesperson for the RNLI said that four of their crews had been called out, one of which was later stood down while the remaining three continued to help in search and rescue efforts.

An initial batch of 13 people were rescued and brought ashore, with subsequent groups of 10 and nine sailors also returned to the safety of dry land.

Despite previous claims from Conservative MP Graham Stuart, East Midlands Ambulance Service say that nobody was taken to hospital.

Missing crew claims

It was initially thought that everyone had been safely recovered and that 36 people were taken to Grimsby's North Quay, but shipping firm Ernst Russ, which is in charge of the Solong, said that one person was missing.

They said: “13 of the 14 Solong crew members have been brought safely shore. Efforts to locate the missing crew member are ongoing.

“Ernst Russ immediately activated an emergency response team and the company remains in contact with them, the master of Solong and all relevant marine authorities at Humberside."

Environmental impacts

While all of the people on board the two ships may be present and accounted for, HM Coastguard said it was assessing the ecological damage to the area after the explosions on board the oil tanker.

It 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 resulting in fires aboard both vessels. 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 and an assessment of the likely counter pollution response required is being enacted."

Environment Minister Baroness Hayman of Ullock said she was 'extremely shocked and concerned' about the incident and said the environmental concerns were an 'emerging picture'.

She said: "We are speaking very closely in DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) to the Department for Transport and Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who are leading the Government response on this and who are at the moment assessing the situation."

No sodium cyanide on board

There had been reports that the Solong container was carrying 15 barrels of sodium cyanide at the time of the incident.

However, in a statement, the owner of the vessel has stated that this is false and that while barrels has previously contained the deadly substance, they were empty.

Ernst Russ said: “We are able to confirm that there are no containers on board ladened with sodium cyanide, as has been misreported.

"There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical, and these containers will continue to be monitored."

Additional words from Joshua Nair