A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following the catastrophic collision between two vessels in the North Sea, police have confirmed.
Humberside Police announced this afternoon that they have launched a criminal investigation into the deadly maritime incident, which took place off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday, March 10.
Ongoing Fire and Missing Crew Member
The cargo vessel Solong remains engulfed in flames, according to its owners, after colliding with the oil tanker Stena Immaculate. While the fire on the Stena Immaculate has been extinguished, efforts to control the blaze on the Solong have continued throughout the night and into Tuesday.
Authorities have confirmed that one crew member from the Solong is still unaccounted for, with a UK government minister stating today that the “working assumption is that they have died.”
Toxic Cargo Claims Denied
Initial reports raised concerns that the Solong had been transporting sodium cyanide, a highly toxic chemical, prompting fears of an environmental hazard. However, the ship’s owners have since clarified that the vessel was not carrying sodium cyanide at the time of the incident, but had four empty containers that had previously contained the substance.
Arrest Sparks Manslaughter Investigation
The arrest of the 59-year-old man marks a serious turn in the case, with police now investigating whether negligent actions played a role in the fatal collision. Details about the arrested individual’s identity and role aboard either ship have not been disclosed at this stage.
In a brief statement, Humberside Police said:
“A 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the North Sea collision. Our investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing.”
Aftermath Captured in Striking Aerial Images
Fresh aerial footage of the two ships shows the devastating impact of the collision. The Solong appears heavily charred, with flames still visible, while the Stena Immaculate has suffered significant hull damage but is no longer ablaze.
Maritime safety authorities are now assessing whether either vessel is at risk of sinking and are monitoring the environmental impact of the fire and wreckage.
Calls for Maritime Safety Review
The incident has sparked renewed calls for a comprehensive review of safety protocols in congested shipping lanes, particularly in the North Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.
