The captain of the Solong ship who was arrested after a collision with a tanker off the coast of England is a Russian national, the ship’s owner Ernst Russ said on Wednesday.
The remainder of the crew onboard the cargo ship were Russian and Filipino nationals, the company reports.
Yesterday, a 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following the crash, with one crew member still remaining unaccounted for.
They are presumed dead after a search and rescue operation concluded on Monday night.
Flames and smoke rise from a collision between oil tanker and a cargo ship off the northeastern coast of EnglandReutersHumberside Police has launched a criminal investigation into the collision’s cause and are co-operating with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said: “Humberside Police have taken primacy for the investigation of any potential criminal offences which arise from the collision between the two vessels.
“Extensive work has already been carried out, and we are working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected.
“Following enquiries undertaken by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision, this follows the conclusion of search operations by HM Coastguard for the missing crew member of the Solong.”
A GPS image of the scene in the North SeaGB NEWSStena Immaculate was anchored and stationary 10 miles off Hull when it was struck by the Solong.
Crew on board both vessels abandoned ship following the crash, which resulted in “multiple explosions” and both ships being set ablaze.
All 23 on board the oil tanker Stena Immaculate are accounted for, whilst out of the 14 crew members on the Solong, one is missing.
Fears had been growing that MV Solong may have been carrying sodium cyanide, a toxic chemical.
However, a statement from Ernst Russ, owner of Solong, has confirmed that there was no sodium cyanide aboard the vessel, despite previous reports.
The Coastguard confirmed later on Monday that a search drive for the misisng Solong worker had been called offPAWhilst reports of the toxic chemical being present have been dispelled, jet fuel from the oil tanker has continuously been spilling out into the North Sea.
UN Maritime Security chief Chris Reynolds has warned that any oil spilled from the wreckage would have a “very short window” to be removed before it could pose a terrifying environmental threat to the area.
Any oil that escapes the vessel could emulsify and then potentially reach the shore as an “oil emulsion”, which would have a “devastating effect” on wildlife and the natural area.
More to follow…