The captain of the cargo ship MV Solong, which collided with a U.S. oil tanker in the North Sea, has been identified as a 59-year-old Russian national and was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The crash caused a massive fireball, leading to a large-scale search and rescue operation where 32 people were safely evacuated, though one crew member remains missing and is presumed dead.
The MV Solong, a Portuguese-flagged vessel, struck the Stena Immaculate—a U.S.-flagged tanker carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel—while it was anchored off the Yorkshire coast. Emergency calls from the scene indicated that both vessels had to be abandoned due to the intensity of the fire. Initial investigations suggest no foul play, but authorities have not ruled it out entirely.
The crash has sparked environmental concerns, as oil spills of this magnitude can cause long-term damage to marine ecosystems. Experts warn that cleanup efforts may not be able to remove all the spilled fuel, potentially affecting wildlife and coastal habitats. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the collision while monitoring the environmental impact.
