UK Captain Arrested Following North Sea Ship Collision

In a significant maritime incident, authorities in the UK have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a collision between two vessels in the North Sea. A 59-year-old man, identified as the captain of the container ship 'Solong', has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter due to gross negligence.

The incident occurred on Monday morning when the 'Solong' collided with the oil tanker 'Stena Immaculate'. Reports indicate that the collision resulted in both ships becoming partially engulfed in flames, prompting emergency response measures. The shipping company Ernst Russ, which operates the 'Solong', confirmed the captain's arrest to the BBC.

According to the US-based shipping company Crowley, which manages the 'Stena Immaculate', the tanker was at anchor when it was struck by the 'Solong'. The company has reported a limited leakage of aviation fuel due to the accident, although initial assessments suggest that the impact may have caused the fuel to evaporate due to the fire.

Sources have indicated that the 'Stena Immaculate' was carrying approximately 220,000 barrels (nearly 35 million liters) of kerosene, distributed across 16 tanks, one of which was damaged during the collision. However, the full extent of the environmental impact remains uncertain as authorities continue their assessment.

In total, 36 crew members from both vessels were safely rescued, while one sailor from the 'Solong' has been reported missing, with search efforts having been suspended as of Monday evening. UK Undersecretary of State Mike Kane has stated that the missing crew member is presumed dead.

The UK Department for Transport has indicated that preliminary evaluations suggest neither ship is at risk of sinking. The 'Solong' is expected to be secured and towed away from the coast, with salvage operations likely to commence shortly. Despite ongoing concerns about potential fuel leakage, the risk has been deemed manageable following the establishment of towing measures.

Furthermore, the Hamburg-based shipping company Ernst Russ has denied earlier reports claiming that the 'Solong' was carrying containers with toxic sodium cyanide, asserting that all containers were empty at the time of the incident.