GRIMSBY: British police arrested a 59-year-old man on Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with a ship crash in the North Sea that sparked a massive blaze, leaving one crew member missing and presumed dead.

Investigations have already started into what led a cargo ship to strike a tanker carrying jet fuel on Monday, as fears remained of possible harm to the area’s marine and wildlife.

The UK Coastguard, which led the operation, rescued 36 people on Monday, including all the 23 crew on the US-flagged Stena Immaculate tanker, which had been chartered by the US military. But a missing member of the Solong cargo vessel crew was “likely deceased”, UK transport minister Mike Kane told parliament. Police in England reported an arrest, but released little information about the suspect.

“Following enquiries undertaken by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision,” Humberside police’s senior investigating officer Craig Nicholson said in a statement.

Kane also said the fire on the Stena Immaculate “appears to be extinguished” but this was not immediately confirmed by the Coastguard. “The Solong is still alight and the fire on board the Stena Immaculate has greatly diminished,” the UK Coastguard said.

The Coastguard was closely monitoring the Solong, which had broken free of the tanker overnight and was limping southwards, accompanied by four tug boats, including one which had a line attached to the stricken vessel.

Crowley, the US-based operator of the Stena Immaculate, said the crash had “ruptured” the tank “containing A1-jet fuel” and triggered a fire, with fuel “reported released”.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2025