Captain Arrested After Cargo Ship Collides with U.S. Jet Fuel Tanker Off UK Coast

British police have arrested the captain of a cargo ship after it collided with a tanker transporting jet fuel for the U.S. military on Monday. The dramatic incident took place off the east coast of England, leaving both ships seriously damaged and sparking major fires and explosions. One confirmed fatality is assumed to be a crew member from the cargo ship Solong, with authorities now investigating the captain for gross negligence manslaughter.

The collision occurred while the American-operated tanker, Stena Immaculate, was anchored. Struck suddenly by the smaller Solong, extensive fires broke out, spilling jet fuel into the ocean, raising serious environmental concerns, and endangering local wildlife. Authorities initially feared that Solong might sink, but updated assessments confirmed both vessels are expected to remain above water, allowing recovery efforts to proceed.

Visual footage captured significant structural damage on both vessels, highlighting extensive fire marks and large openings in the hulls. Although the flames had subsided by Tuesday, the area surrounding the ships remained hazardous. Emergency response teams established an exclusion perimeter and dispatched specialized ships carrying firefighting foam to safeguard and stabilize the stricken vessels.

Contrary to earlier reports, officials clarified that Solong was not carrying sodium cyanide at the time of the crash; however, containers aboard the ship had previously held the chemical and are now being closely monitored. The immediate priority remains limiting environmental damage, as conservation experts warn the spillage of jet fuel poses significant risks to local seabird populations and coastal ecosystems, potentially introducing harmful toxins into the region's food chain.

The UK's maritime authorities, working closely with American and Portuguese counterparts, are currently trying to ascertain why multiple safety systems onboard the modern vessels failed to prevent the collision. Investigations are initially being led by Britain's Marine Accident Investigation Branch, although ultimate responsibility rests with U.S. and Portuguese authorities, given that the ships sail under their respective flags.

Local representatives emphasized that most of the spilled jet fuel appeared already burned off, somewhat minimizing immediate contamination concerns. Nonetheless, fears persist about potential leaks of heavy engine oil, which could create ongoing environmental issues. The British government assured the public that equipment and materials to contain and mitigate further pollution will be deployed if necessary, and authorities continue to describe risks to public health as minimal.