Tanker Collision Sparks Environmental Alarm in North Sea

A Russian captain is detained in the UK after a cargo ship collided with a US tanker in the North Sea, sparking fears of environmental damage. The vessel failed safety checks previously. The Solong vessel was moving between Scotland and the Netherlands when it hit the tanker. Investigations continue.

A Russian national, captain of a cargo ship, is held by UK police following a collision with a US tanker, triggering environmental concerns in the North Sea. The incident revealed previous safety violations on the vessel.

The collision involved the Portugal-flagged vessel Solong, owned by Ernst Russ, with a mixed crew of Russian and Filipino nationals. The tanker, MV Stena Immaculate, part of the US government's Tanker Security Programme, spilled jet fuel into the sea.

Although early fears of significant ecological damage have eased, the collision underscores the potential risks posed by shipping accidents near sensitive coastal areas. Official inquiries by UK, US, and Portugal authorities are ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies.)