Container ship that collided with oil tanker off UK coast was 'carrying highly toxic compound' that 'can be lethal'

The container ship which collided with an oil tanker in the North Sea today reportedly contained the toxic compound sodium cyanide, which would pose a danger to marine life.

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

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 BBC reports that the container ship Solong was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide among its cargo when it collided with the Stena Immaculate tanker. The compound has a number of uses but poses a danger to life.

One ship was carrying jet fuel, the other had 15 containers of the toxic substance sodium cyanide (Bartek Smialek/PA Wire)

Risks of sodium cyanide

It's currently not clear whether any sodium cyanide has actually entered the water, but if it did, then it would be dangerous for the denizens of the deep as it could kill them.

As well as this, the oil tanker was also carrying jet fuel for the US military which would be 'devastating for the wildlife of the estuary' if it leaks into the Humber, according to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust director Martin Slater.

The pollution from the fuel spilling into the sea would only be made worse if the toxic sodium cyanide was to be released into the water as well.

Rescue efforts

The coastguard was 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.

Everyone involved in the disaster has now been taken ashore, with a total of 36 people taken to Grimsby's North Quay. Despite previous claims from Conservative MP Graham Stuart, East Midlands Ambulance Service say that nobody was taken to hospital.

The incident occurred near Hull (PA Wire)

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."

The raging fire in the North Sea could be seen for miles (Bartek Smialek/PA Wire)

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."

Oil tanker Stena Immaculate was damaged with explosions after a collision with a Portuguese-flagged container ship (Bartek Smialek/PA Wire)

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."

Additional words from Joshua Nair