North Sea: Tanker hired by US military hit by cargo ship
London, UK – A cargo ship hit a tanker carrying jet fuel for the US government off the eastern coast of the United Kingdom on Monday, causing a large fire on both vessels and triggering a rescue operation.
The incident occurred in the North Sea near the city of Hull, and the alarm was first raised at 9:48am (UTC/GMT).
Local lawmaker Graham Stuart said 37 crew members aboard the two ships had been brought to shore and assessed by ambulances.
According to the owner of the cargo ship, one of its crew is missing.
The office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said details surrounding the cause of the collision 'are still becoming clear'.
Lifeboats, firefighting vessels, a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to respond to the incident.
Oil tanker was carrying jet fuel
The oil tanker involved in the collision was US-flagged chemical and oil products carrier MV Stena Immaculate, which is managed by maritime company Crowley.
The ship was carrying jet fuel for the US military at the time of the collision.
'The Stena Immaculate sustained a ruptured cargo tank containing Jet-A1 fuel … crew abandoned the vessel following multiple explosions onboard,' Crowley said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the US Navy's Military Sealift Command confirmed that the civilian-crewed ship was 'on a short-term charter' at the time of the incident.
The other vessel involved in the crash was the Portugal-flagged container ship Solong, which was sailing from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
It is owned by German shipping company Reederei Koepping.
Maritime data provider Lloyd's List Intelligence said the Solong was carrying 15 containers of sodium cyanide, a flammable gas.
Impact on marine life
Environmental group Greenpeace said it was too early to judge what kind of cleanup might be needed.
'The magnitude of any impact will depend on a number of factors, including the amount and type of oil carried by the tanker, the fuel carried by both ships, and how much of that, if any, has entered the water,' a spokesperson for the group said.
Tom Webb, senior lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Sheffield, said the area was known for its rich wildlife including wading birds and waterfowl.
'Chemical pollution resulting from incidents of this kind can directly impact birds, and it can also have long-lasting effects on the marine food webs that support them,' he said.
Mark Hartl of the Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology at Scotland's Heriot-Watt University said that although the images of the ships 'look worrying', the impact on the aquatic environment won't be as damaging as crude oil would have been, 'because most of the jet fuel will evaporate very quickly'.
DW
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
8 hours ago
- Observer
India and Pakistan: Friends, not enemies
India and Pakistan were once the same country. Before 1947, there was no border between them. They were part of British India—a large land with many people, cultures, and religions living together. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and others lived side by side. They fought together to get freedom from British rule. Leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, and others wanted self-rule. It was not always peaceful, but there was a feeling of unity and shared a future. That history is often forgotten today, but it is important. In 1947, the British decided to divide the country into two parts—India and Pakistan. This is called the Partition. It was very fast and caused a lot of pain. Millions of people had to leave their homes. More than a million people died. Many families were broken. The Partition left deep wounds and started problems between the two countries. Kashmir became the main issue. India and Pakistan fought wars, and the mistrust grew. But even in those first years, some efforts were made to keep peace. In 1950, the Liaquat–Nehru Pact tried to protect minority communities in both countries. In 1960, the two countries signed the Indus Waters Treaty with help from the World Bank. It was about sharing river water. Even during wars, the treaty remained in place. This showed that both sides could work together if they wanted to. There were other positive moments too. People travelled across the border. There were cricket matches, cultural events, and artists from both countries worked together. Bollywood movies were popular in Pakistan. Pakistani music and TV shows were liked in India. Writers visited each other's book festivals. These small actions helped people remember that they have a common past and culture. But the relationship has always been weak. One good step is often followed by a bad one. There have been many problems—like the Kargil war in 1999 and the Mumbai attacks in 2008. The main issues, especially about Kashmir and terrorism, were never solved. This led to the most recent fight. In May 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Indian Kashmir, killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan-supported militants. In response, India started Operation Sindoor, attacking alleged terrorist camps inside Pakistan. For four days, there were air strikes, drone attacks, and heavy firing. Both sides were close to full war again. Both governments said they were strong and successful. They used national pride to gain support. But war always brings pain. Soldiers died. Civilians were afraid. There was fear of things getting worse — maybe even nuclear war. A ceasefire was agreed on 10 May, but peace still looks far away. Indian Prime Minister Modi said the operation is 'not over.' This shows that India wants to continue a strong military approach instead of talks. At the same time, social media made the situation worse. Fake news and videos were shared widely. Both sides used online platforms to spread hate and lies. People believed wrong information. This made it harder for peace to grow because emotions were high and trust was low. Even after the fighting stopped, the damage to people's minds and feelings stayed. Still, there is hope. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he is ready for talks. This is not a full solution, but it is a start. Talking is not a weakness. Peace does not mean defeat. Both countries have nuclear weapons. A future war could destroy everything — not just in India and Pakistan, but in the whole region. India and Pakistan cannot move away from each other. They are neighbours forever. While leaders may argue, the people in both countries still share many things. They speak similar languages. They enjoy the same food and music. They have common history and traditions. This does not mean that problems are not real. But they must be handled with calm minds and smart thinking — not with anger. This is not only about politics. It is about people. Many families were separated during Partition. Grandparents still tell stories about life in Lahore or Delhi, about friends who were like family. Those memories are still alive. They are not just old stories—they are reminders that peace is possible. India and Pakistan have fought for too long. It is time to think differently. What if both countries worked as hard for peace as they did for war? What if the story of Partition ended not in endless fighting, but in understanding? People in both countries want a better life. They deserve a future without fear, with more friendship. They should remember — they were once one. Maybe not again in borders, but in heart and hope.
Times of Oman
13 hours ago
- Times of Oman
UK moving to warfighting readiness, threats more serious and immediate: PM Keir Starmer
London: Asserting that Britain is moving to "warfighting readiness", British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said the country faces "war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks, growing Russian aggression in our waters" and the threat the country now faces "is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable". Speaking on the Strategic Defence Review, during which he unveiled the government's defence spending plans, Starmer said Britain's defence policy will always be "NATO first". "In the world of today - the front line, if you like, is here. The threat we now face is more serious, more immediate and more unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War. We face war in Europe, new nuclear risks, daily cyber attacks, growing Russian aggression in our our reckless actions driving up the cost of living here at economic hitting working people the hardest," he said. "A new era in the threats we face, demands a new era for defence and just to survive in this new world - But to lead. We will never gamble with our national security. Instead, we will act in the national interest. And that's why I placed national security at the heart of our Plan for Change. That's why I launched this Strategic Defence Review within days of becoming Prime Minster. And now it has delivered," he added. Lauding those who contributed to the Strategic Defence Review, Starmer said, "What you have delivered is a blueprint to make Britain safer and stronger." "A battle-ready, armour-clad nation, with the strongest alliances and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come. And we have already acted - announcing the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. Raising it to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, setting the ambition to hit 3% in the next to economic and fiscal conditions," he said. Starmer set out three fundamental changes that, he said, "we are going to deliver". "First, we are moving to warfighting readiness - as the central purpose of our armed forces. When we are being directly threatened by states with advanced military forces, the most effective way to deter them is to be ready - And, frankly, to show them that we're ready to deliver peace through strength. Now Britain has the finest service men and women in the world....," he said. "We're showing them the respect that they deserve by delivering the biggest Armed Forces pay rise in 20 years. And by pledging, today, that we will end the hollowing out of our Armed Forces. We'll build a fighting force that is more integrated, more ready, more lethal than everything we do will add to the strength of NATO; third, we will innovate and accelerate innovation to a wartime pace...," he added. He said everything Britain does will add to the strength of NATO, "as we step up to take greater responsibility for our collective defence". "That's why our defence policy will always be 'NATO first'... Britain's biggest contribution to NATO since its creation. When we are building new capabilities at home, we are making our allies safer too -- strengthening Europe and strengthening our bridge to the US as Britain's first partner in defence," he said. "We will innovate and accelerate innovation to a wartime pace... So we can meet the threats of today and tomorrow as the fastest innovator in NATO. It means learning the lessons of Ukraine, which I have discussed many times with President Zelenskyy. To ensure every capability we have works seamlessly together - Drones, destroyers, AI, aircraft... Each different branch of our armed services, fully create an Army which is ten times more lethal by 2035," the UK PM added. The SDR also includes plans to build 12 attack submarines under the AUKUS programme, enhancing NATO's deterrence capabilities as well as investment of EUR 15 billion in the UK's sovereign warhead programme.
Observer
20 hours ago
- Observer
UN calls for probe into deaths near Gaza aid site
GAZA: UN chief Antonio Guterres called on Monday for an independent investigation into the killing of dozens of Palestinians near a US-backed aid centre in Gaza after rescuers blamed the deaths on Israeli fire and the military denied any involvement. Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli gunfire killed at least 31 people and wounded 176 near the aid distribution site in the southern city of Rafah, with photos showing civilians at the scene carting away bodies and medics at nearby hospitals reporting a deluge of gunshot wound victims. The Israeli military, however, denied its troops had fired on civilians in or around the centre, and both it and the aid site's administrator accused Hamas of sowing false rumours. "I am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food," Guterres said in a statement, without assigning blame for the deaths. "I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable." The Israeli government has cooperated with the group running the site, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to introduce a new mechanism for distributing aid in Gaza that has bypassed the longstanding UN-led system. The UN has declined to work with the group out of concerns about its neutrality, with some aid agencies saying it appears designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. An eyewitness from the scene in Rafah, Sameh Hamuda, 33, had said he was headed towards the aid site amid a crowd of other Palestinians when "quadcopter drones opened fire on the people, and tanks started shooting". "Several people were killed right in front of me," he said. Another witness, Abdullah Barbakh, 58, also said that "the army opened fire from drones and tanks". Following the reports, the Israeli army said an initial inquiry found its troops "did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site". Army spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video message that "Hamas is doing its best, its utmost, to stop us from" distributing aid, and vowed to "investigate each one of those allegations" against Israeli troops. "I urge you not to believe every rumour spread by Hamas," he added. Israel has come under increasing international pressure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza following a more than two-month blockade on aid that was only recently eased. The UN has warned the entire population of the territory is facing the risk of famine. It has also reported recent incidents of aid being looted, including by armed individuals. After the two sides failed to agree on a new ceasefire proposal last week, Hamas said it was ready to "immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on the points of contention". Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, meanwhile, said he had told the army "to continue forward in Gaza against all targets, regardless of any negotiations". Since a brief truce collapsed in March, Israel has intensified its operations to destroy Hamas. On Monday, Gaza's civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said 14 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a house in Gaza, "including six children and three women, in addition to more than 20 missing individuals still under the rubble". "This house has been bombed before... and people were martyred previously," resident Mousa al Bursh said. "The house primarily belongs to the Al-Bursh family, but it shelters many others, more than one family, and we don't know the number of victims inside." The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says at least 4,201 people have been killed in the territory since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,470, mostly civilians. — AFP
