Prime Minister Keir Starmer issues statement on exploded oil tanker as US confirms it was carrying their jet fuel

An update had been issued on the collision between an oil tanker and a container ship, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer has commented on the incident.

Earlier today (10 March), a US-flagged tanker called the Stena Immaculate and a Portuguese-flagged container ship called the Solong collided with one another, causing explosions in the North Sea, off the coast of the UK and east of Hull.

It has been reported by the BBC 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."

Officials on Downing Street have said details of the cause of the collision were 'still becoming clear' and remained an 'extremely concerning situation'.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement: “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.”

The company managing the oil tanker, Crowley, revealed that there were 'multiple explosions onboard' after the vessel ruptured a cargo tank, having collided with container ship Solong, report PA.

The BBC have also reported that the Solong vessel was carrying 15 containers of the chemical Sodium Cyanide among its cargo when it collided with the Stena Immaculate, according to maritime data provider Lloyd’s List Intelligence.

As described by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), sodium cyanide is a crystal-like solid that is used in industry for metal cleaning, plating and extraction, as well as photography.

It can also be used to make other chemicals, though they note that human exposure to these salts can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, nervousness, confusion, changes in heart rate and drowsiness.

In the worst cases, it can cause heart and respiratory issues, or even death.

As for those aboard the ships when the accident took place before 10am today, it has been confirmed that everyone involved in the disaster has now been taken ashore.

An initial group of 13 people were rescued and taken to shore, with groups of 10 and nine crew members also being taken to land.

MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart has since stated that he had spoken with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.

Alexander confirmed that all 37 people on the two ships were present and accounted for, and that only one person among them was in hospital.