The captain of the Solong cargo ship has been detained following a collision with a US-flagged tanker, the Stena Immaculate, off the English coast. The incident, which occurred in the North Sea, has sparked concerns over environmental damage due to a jet fuel spill.
The Solong, managed by Ernst Russ and flagged under Portugal, crashed into the anchored Stena Immaculate, which was carrying jet fuel for the US military. The collision set both vessels ablaze and led to a rescue operation by the British coastguard. One crew member from the Solong is missing and presumed dead, while the remaining crew from both ships were safely evacuated.
The 59-year-old captain, who is a Russian national, was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The rest of the Solong's crew consists of Russians and Filipinos. The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the cause of the crash, alongside US and Portuguese authorities.
The Solong had previously failed several safety inspections, including issues with its steering system.
The Stena Immaculate is part of the US government's Tanker Security Program, which ensures the availability of commercial vessels to transport fuel for military needs. The investigation into the collision is ongoing, with authorities seeking to understand how the Solong failed to avoid the stationary tanker.