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A 59-year-old arrested after a cargo ship crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea has been confirmed as the cargo ships captain.

The US-flagged MV Stena Immaculate was anchored off the Humber Estuary, 10 miles from Hull, when it burst into flames following multiple explosions.

It was loaded with more than 200,000 tons of highly flammable kerosene for American warplanes when it was hit by the MV Solong.

At least 37 crew aboard both vessels had an astonishing escape as multiple explosions.

One person remains missing, presumed dead. They were a member of the Solongs crew.

Now the Solongs owner, Ernst Russ, has confirmed the man arrested is their ships captain.

In a statement, the company said: The master of the containership Solong has been detained by Humberside Police in the UK.

The master and our entire team are actively assisting with the investigations.

Out of respect for the investigation and all involved we will not comment further at this time.

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The true extent of fuel leaks and resulting environmental damage is not yet clear.

But Crowley, which manages the Stena Immaculate oil tanker, says an initial review of fuel released in the collision shows impacts have been limited.

The maritime firm said: It remains unclear at this time what volume of fuel may have been released as a result of the incident, but initial review shows impacts have been limited due to exposure to the fire and evaporation of the Jet A1 fuel.

A fire is still burning on the Solong cargo ship, which is being held offshore in a safe position, the Coastguard said.

Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said: A tow line has now successfully been put in place and a tug is holding Solong offshore in a safer position.

There are still some flames visible on the main deck of the Solong and firefighting is focusing on this area. A salvage plan is being developed with the appointed salvors on scene.

A second salvage company has been engaged for the Stena Immaculate, which remains at anchor, with safety tugs on scene.

The fire on Stena Immaculate is greatly reduced with no flames visible.

Mr Craig added efforts were continuing to stop any pollution spreading following the crash.

A comprehensive counter pollution response is in place and HM Coastguard continues to make preparations for any pollution that may occur as a result of the damage to the vessels, he said.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agencys concern in relation to tanks on the Solong has reduced with tugs now able to work in close vicinity.

The threat from the previously identified dangerous goods on board has reduced significantly.

Air quality sampling onshore has shown no toxins and modelling from the Met Office indicates no threat to the public.

We continue to engage actively with Humberside Police, salvors, the port authorities and other agencies to protect the public and the environment as far as possible while continuing to respond to the developing situation.

A 59-year-old man arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter has been confirmed as the captain of the Solong cargo ship, which crashed into the anchored Stena Immaculate.

In a statement to Metro, a spokesperson for the Solongs owner “ Ernst Russ “ said: Ernst Russ can confirm that the master of the containership Solong has been detained by Humberside police in the UK.

The master and our entire team are actively assisting with the investigations.

Out of respect for the investigation and all involved we will not comment further at this time.

The Humber ports of Grimsby, Immingham, Hull and Goole have re-opened this evening, according to the their owner, the Associated British Ports (ABP).

Restrictions remain in place while the ABP continues to support ongoing emergency operations.

Earlier, the government warned the Solong container ship could sink after crashing into the Stena Immaculate on the Humber Estuary.

Now its expected to stay afloat. It may even be tugged all the way to Belgium, Sky News reports.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: I am reassured to hear indications from the ships owners which suggest the sodium cyanide containers were empty and that efforts to confirm this by the salvors are underway.

I was also pleased to have been informed that early indications suggest that both vessels are now expected to stay afloat and that the Solong can be towed away from the shore, and salvage operations can get under way.

I will continue to monitor the response and have asked for regular updates, including on any potential environmental impacts, across government and our agencies.

Ms Alexander had earlier met with Maritime and Coastguard Agencys chief executive Virginia McVea to discuss the response to the incident.

Concerns had been raised that the ships cargo and engine oil could harm local wildlife in the Humber Estuary, where birds are gathering for nesting season.

But Graham Stuart, the Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness, has left a meeting with Maritime Minister Mike Kane saying there is broadly good news in that regard.

Thousands of tons of jet fuel carried by the Stena Immaculate has burnt off, engine fuel hasnt escaped, and the sinking Solongs containers of sodium cyanide were already empty, he claimed.

In a video posted to X, Mr Stuart said: There is no evidence so far of any of the heavy engine oil leaking from either ship.

The Solong is three miles off shore, south of the harbour and now has a line attached so it can be moved via tug. The sodium cyanide containers were empty and there is no evidence of pollution in the water or in the air to date.

No containers appear to have fallen from the ship. The Solong is still smoking, but there are no flames visible.

Meanwhile the Immaculate is at anchor. The jet oil appears to have burnt off, and because of its purity, its expected to leave no residue in the water. Testing kit is being sent out to confirm.

Risks remain, however. Its possible that heavy engine oil could yet leak. Booms and oil collection kit are in Grimsby in that eventuality.

A criminal investigation has been launched after the MV Solong and Stena Immaculate crash off the East Yorkshire coast yesterday.

One mariner on board Solong has not been found. He was presumed dead earlier today after the chances of their survival had unfortunately significantly diminished, transport minister Mike Kane said.

Here is the statement from Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson: Humberside Police have taken primacy for the investigation of any potential criminal offences which arise from the collision between the two vessels.

Extensive work has already been carried out, and we are working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected.

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, this follows the conclusion of search operations by HM Coastguard for the missing crew member of the SOLONG.

Our thoughts are with the family of the missing crew member, and I have appointed Family Liaison Officers to make contact and provide support to the family.

The man arrested remains in custody at this time whilst enquiries are underway, and we continue speaking with all those involved to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

Hull City Council on the North Yorkshire coast has urged for an emergency Cobra meeting to be convened as soon as possible.  

Mike Ross, the leader of Hull City Council, warned that the North Sea crash has the potential to be an environmental disaster.  

We urgently need to see the scale of the area affected assessed and the level of pollution resulting from the crash, he said according to BBC News.  

He said people in the area need assurances over safety of communities, coastline and wildlife.  

While work continues to put out the flames on board MV Solong, which is adrift, and Stena Immaculate, theories are swirling over a possible cyber attack or a malicious actor behind the sudden North Sea crash.

Now, the Downing Street has said that there is no suggestion pointing to foul play so far.

The Prime Ministers spokesperson said: I understand there doesnt appear to be any suggestions of foul play at this time.

Mike Kane, the minister for marine and aviation, was quizzed over the collision in the House of Commons today, where MPs asked him to remain vigilant, to ensure that any indications of foul play are carefully investigated.

Professor Kevin Jones, a marine cyber security expert at the University of Plymouth, told Metro earlier that a cyber attack is within the bounds of possibility, although more information and voice recordings from the vessels are needed.

First footage has emerged showing the state of the cargo ship MV Solong after it crashed into the Stena Immaculate oil tanker.

Solong, flying under the Portuguese flag, is currently adrift and slowly moving southwards.

It is flanked by tugboats, which are there to ensure that the Solong remains away from the coast and to respond as the situation develops, the minister for maritime and aviation, Mike Kane, said.

No sign of pollution has been detected at this time, Mike Kane, the minister for maritime and aviation, said.  

Counter pollution measures are on standby and will be used if necessary, he told the House of Commons today, saying that something went terribly wrong in the stretch of the North Sea.

However, the first concern is to put out the fire on Solong, he said. 

MV Stena was carrying around 220,000 barrels of jet fuel, which was the source of the fire, the minister said.

Both vessels were carrying heavy fuel oil, which could pose a risk if it ended up in the wild.  

MPs questioned why the exact content of MV Solong is yet to be confirmed. The ships owner ruled out sodium cyanide earlier today, but didnt reveal what exactly was on board.

The Humber Estuary area remains open to maritime traffic, while an exclusion zone is in place around the vessels.

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The cargo ship MV Solong, which crashed into the side of the anchored Stena Immaculate, continues to burn after a huge fire broke out on both of the ships.

While the blaze on board Stena Immaculate has been largely put out and it remains anchored, MV Solong is causing grey hairs.

Although they became attached to each other during the collision, the Solong broke free of the Stena Immaculate late last night and began drifting southwards, the marine and aviation minister Mike Kane confirmed.

It is now adrift and moving at about two nautical miles per hour, he said, warning that it is unlikely the vessel will remain afloat.

MV Solong is being followed by tugboats which are ready to intervene if necessary to ensure that the vessel remains away from the coast and to respond as the situation develops, he said.

Mike Kane, the minister for maritime, aviation and security, said one sailor who remains missing at sea is presumed dead after the search was called off.

He said that 13 out of 14 sailors on MV Solong were accounted for and search for one mariner continued yesterday until a point when their chance of survival had unfortunately significantly diminished.

Mr Kane said the sailor is deceased and that his next of kin will be informed.

The search and rescue teams will do everything we can do recover the body of the mariner, he said. Our thoughts are with the sailors loved ones at this time.

The owner of MV Solong, the cargo ship which collided with the oil tanker, was not loaded with sodium cyanide as was first feared.

MV Solongs owner, Ernst Russ, confirmed that it has no containers on board ladened with sodium cyanide.

A statement said: We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of the missing crew member, mindful that the search has been called off. Our first thoughts must be with them at this uncertain and distressing time. All necessary support is being provided to the family.

We continue to follow the situation closely surrounding this collision incident involving our vessel, Solong in the North Sea, off Hull, UK. Our focus remains the well-being of our 13 crew members that were evacuated from the container ship. We also recognise the dangers that others are faced with as they work to stabilise and secure the vessels and cargos involved.

We are able to confirm that there are no containers on board ladened with sodium cyanide, as has been misreported. There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical, and these containers will continue to be monitored

We would like to thank all of the emergency responders who have urgently deployed to the scene in support of this response effort.

Our team is actively engaged with all local authorities, and we will work with clean-up teams to ensure every effort is made to mitigate further impacts on the marine environment.

Ernst Russ will fully assist with the investigations that are to follow.

Fear is growing over the potentially harmful contents on board the MV Solong.  

The main concern is a sodium cyanide leak into the wild “ a highly toxic chemical used in industrial processes. Dr Jonathan Paul, from the earth sciences department at the Royal Holloway, University of London, said if sodium cyanide leaks from the Solong, there is a potential immediate risk to humans and wildlife.  

Why is sodium cyanide so dangerous in the wild?  

Sodium cyanide would be removed from the water within 12-15 days as it turns into cyanide gas in the atmosphere.  

There is a potential immediate risk to humans and wildlife from this toxic gas, which depends on the volume released “ i.e. whether the containers had been pierced or breached, he warned.  

However, cyanide spills are more dangerous in enclosed bodies of water. Most wildlife is likely to have left the crash area by now due to the commotion.  

It has not been confirmed yet whether the MV Solong was definitely carrying sodium cyanide.  

The sudden collision between the oil tanker and a cargo ship in a busy shipping lane during daytime has raised eyebrows, with many now asking if a cyber attack could be to blame.  

A cyber attack is within the bounds of possibility, but until the recorders from both vessels are analysed, a targeted attack is entirely speculative, professor Kevin Jones said.  

Jones, the founder of maritime cyber threats research group at the University of Plymouth, told Metro that there are three possibilities “ crew error, mechanical failure or a cyber attack.  

The cause will be revealed once the voyage data recorders of both vessels, the shipping equivalent of aviation black boxes, are analysed. A cyber attack is theoretically possible, the expert said, adding that there are a number of ways a cyber attack could cause the impact we saw.  

There are incidents we have modelled where the repulsion and steering could be taken over by a cyber attack in certain circumstances, he said.  

In theory, a malicious actor could get in between the bridge control system and the steering which could affect the rudder and the engine. All vessels are possibly vulnerable for attacks, he explained.  

What stuck him as unusual was how one of the vessels, the Solong, ran at full power into another that is stationary, he said. Normally, you would expect them to maneuver and judge each other.

Given the area of research we work in, we did start to speculate about the cause of the incident. The other vessel that was targeted was carrying fuel for the US military, and that has increased the risk whether this was malicious and whether this would have been possible.  

He said the circumstances are such that it is within the bounds of possibility, but that there isnt enough information to say anything confirmative at this point.  

The cargo on board MV Solong, which rammed into the Stena Immaculate carrying jet fuel, remains a mystery as the contents are yet to be confirmed.

Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpe, told BBC Radio 4 Today that a government minister said the reports of sodium cyanide are undetermined.

Actually, they dont know what is in the cargo for Solong. And if it were to be the sodium cyanide, that would be very worrying. So we are waiting for kind of continuous updates on that, she said.

Sodium cyanide is used in industry, such as metal extraction and chemical manufacturing.

It is highly toxic and water reactive, with containers prone to explosion when heated or if they are contaminated with water.

A sailor who was on board the Stena Immaculate described the crews narrow escape as they abandoned the burning ship.  

The American sailor, who did not give his name as they are not allowed to speak to the media, told CBS News in the US how a massive ship came from out of the blue.  

He said the crew had only seconds to react. He said he heard some shouts telling the sailor to prepare for the impact, the BBC News reports.

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