Russian Captain Arrested After Cargo Ship Crashes into Tanker in North Sea

The captain of the cargo ship Solong, which crashed into the Stena Immaculate in the North Sea, was a Russian national. The incident occurred on Monday, sparking massive blazes on both vessels and prompting an emergency response.

The 59-year-old captain was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence and manslaughter. He remains in custody while detectives continue their investigation. The rest of the 14-strong crew, one of whom is missing and presumed dead, was a mix of Russian and Filipino nationals.

The crash caused huge fires and explosions and leaked fuel into the sea, raising concerns about the impact on the environment and protected bird colonies. The coastguard said there had been no further reports of pollution from either vessel since then.

The owner of the Stena Immaculate, which was carrying jet fuel for the US military, said the fire on board had been extinguished. The company said most of the jet fuel on board remained intact and was not leaking.

Fires onboard the Solong, which was being held in position by a tug, have greatly reduced, while there were no visible flames seen at the Stena Immaculate. Salvors will only board the vessels when it is safe to do so. Only then will it be possible to carry out comprehensive damage assessments.

The Stena Immaculate was at anchor when it was struck by the smaller Solong, leading to speculation about the cause of the crash. The spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was no suggestion of "foul play".