An official from the White House has refused to rule out foul play in the collision between a US oil tanker and a cargo ship carrying toxic chemicals.
Sailors on board the Stena Immaculate, which was carrying a “full load” of jet fuel, were forced to abandon ship after the MV Solong vessel crashed into its port side shortly before 10am on Monday off the Yorkshire coast.
Multiple explosions were triggered as a result, as well as a chemical spill, leading some marine experts to believe that the incident may not have been accidental.
Speaking to The Telegraph, a US government source said that foul play could not be ruled out at this stage.
Flames and smoke rise from a collision between oil tanker and a cargo ship off the northeastern coast of England
Reuters
There has also been speculation that the cargo ship may have been hacked by Russia or other hostile nations and transformed into a “spear”.
Downing Street described the incident as “extremely concerning”.
However, foggy weather and poor visibility has also been cited as a possible strong factor in the crash.
The tanker was operating as part of the US Government’s Tanker Security Programme - a fleet of commercial vessels which can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.
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A GPS image of the scene in the North SeaGB NEWS
Multiple explosions were triggered as a result, as well as a chemical spill
Reuters
All 23 on board the oil tanker Stena Immaculate are accounted for.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, confirmed that 13 casualties were initially brought in on a Windcat 33 vessel, followed by another 19 on a harbour pilot boat.
The 14 crew members from the Solong cargo vessel, which is owned by a German company based in Hamburg, were also forced to abandon ship after the collision.
Yesterday, a government source confirmed that one crewman from the Solong was still unaccounted for.
The Coastguard confirmed later on Monday that a search drive for the misisng Solong worker had been called off
PAThe search by the Coast Guard was called off around 9.40pm, whilst both boats were still ablaze.
There is also concern regarding the effect of the chemical spill on the environment.
UN Maritime Security chief Chris Reynolds has warned that any oil spilled from the wreckage would have a “very short window” to be removed before it could pose a terrifying environmental threat to the area.
Any oil that escapes the vessel could emulsify and then potentially reach the shore as an "oil emulsion”, which would have a “devastating effect” on wildlife and the natural area.
