An oil tanker and a cargo ship collided off the eastern coast of England on March 10, resulting in fires on both vessels and prompting an extensive rescue operation, according to emergency officials.
Authorities confirmed that at least 32 individuals were transported to shore, although their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
Martyn Boyers, CEO of the Port of Grimsby East, reported that an initial group of 13 people arrived aboard the Windcat 33, a high-speed vessel, followed by another 19 transported via a harbor pilot boat.
Britain’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency stated that multiple lifeboats, a Coast Guard rescue helicopter, a surveillance aircraft, and nearby ships equipped with firefighting capabilities responded to the emergency in the North Sea.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stated that reports indicate that some crew members had abandoned their vessels following the collision, with fires breaking out on both ships. Three lifeboats were actively assisting with search and rescue efforts alongside the Coast Guard.
Footage aired by the BBC, apparently recorded from a nearby vessel, showed dense black smoke billowing from the ships. Boyers said the incident was described to him as involving a “massive fireball.”
“It’s too far out for us to see—about 10 miles—but we have seen the vessels bringing them in,” he said. “They must have sent a mayday out. Luckily, there was a crew transfer vessel out there already.
“Since then, there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.”
The tanker involved is believed to be the U.S.-flagged chemical and oil products carrier MV Stena Immaculate, which had been at anchor after sailing from Greece, according to ship-tracking data from VesselFinder.
The other vessel, identified as the Portugal-flagged container ship Solong, was en route from Grangemouth, Scotland, to Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Officials said the distress call was received at 9:48 a.m. local time (5:48 a.m. EDT). The collision occurred off the coast of Hull, approximately 155 miles north of London.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the ongoing situation and expressed gratitude to emergency responders.
“I want to thank all emergency service workers involved for their continued efforts in responding to the incident,” she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
