Cargo ship captain charged after deadly North Sea collision
The captain of the cargo ship Solong, which collided with the tanker Stena Immaculate in the North Sea on Monday, has been arrested. He is a Russian citizen. The 59-year-old Russian man has been charged with gross negligence leading to death. The investigation is being conducted by Humberside Police.
What do you need to know?
- The collision happened on Monday off the coast of East Yorkshire. As a result of the collision with the tanker Stena Immaculate, the ship Solong, flying the Portuguese flag, sustained significant damage.
- The captain of the cargo ship, a 59-year-old Russian, was arrested on charges of gross negligence leading to death. He is currently in custody, and the investigation is being conducted by Humberside Police.
- The search for a missing crew member has ended. He was deemed dead after the rescue operation was suspended on Monday evening.
Collision in the North Sea
The captain of the container ship Solong, which collided on Monday in the North Sea with a tanker chartered by the US, is a Russian citizen, the ship's owner, Ernst Russ AG, reported on Wednesday. The Solong's crew consisted of Russians and Filipinos, Reuters reported.
Detective Craig Nicholson of Humberside Police reported that they have taken over the investigation into potential crimes related to the collision. Humberside Police confirmed that the 59-year-old man was detained on charges of gross negligence leading to death.
The collision occurred on Monday morning when Solong collided with the tanker Stena Immaculate, carrying 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel for the US military.
What do the authorities say?
"Humberside Police have taken primacy for the investigation of any potential criminal offences which arise from the collision between the two vessels," said Nicholson. He added that they are collaborating with maritime agencies to understand what happened and provide support to those affected.
What were the consequences of the collision?
After the collision, both ships caught fire, prompting an immediate response from rescue services. HM Coastguard reported that 36 people were safely evacuated to shore.
Unfortunately, the search for one Solong crew member was unsuccessful. This person was declared dead.
What’s next in the investigation?
The investigation into the causes of the collision is ongoing. Humberside Police, in collaboration with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, are conducting intensive efforts to determine what led to this tragic incident.
