British police arrested the captain of a cargo ship on suspicion of manslaughter following a collision with a U.S. military jet fuel tanker off eastern England, igniting both vessels and raising concerns over significant environmental damage. One sailor is presumed dead.
Humberside Police confirmed the 59-year-old captain was detained for gross negligence manslaughter but has not been charged. The ship’s owner, Ernst Russ, stated he and the crew are cooperating with investigations. Authorities have ruled out foul play but continue to probe the cause of the accident.
The crash, involving the Portugal-registered Solong and the U.S.-flagged MV Stena Immaculate, caused a jet fuel spill in the North Sea, sparking fears for marine life and seabird populations. Officials are monitoring for environmental impact while maintaining that air quality remains normal and the public health risk is low.
The Solong remains on fire and adrift, with exclusion zones in place. The Stena Immaculate, part of the U.S. government’s Tanker Security Program, sustained a gash in its port side, and at least one of its 16 fuel tanks ruptured. The extent of the fuel spill remains unclear.
Environmental groups warn of risks to whales, dolphins, and seabirds in the ecologically significant area. Experts note that persistent oil spills break down slowly, heightening concerns over lasting damage. Greenpeace U.K. cautioned that the full environmental impact remains uncertain as authorities work to mitigate the disaster.
Source: Swifteradio.com
