Cargo Ship Carrying Sodium Cyanide Collides with U.S. Military Oil Tanker Off U.K. Coast

A cargo ship carrying sodium cyanide collided with a U.S. military-chartered oil tanker off the northeast coast of England on Monday, igniting a massive fire and sparking fears of environmental damage. The Portuguese-flagged container ship, Solong, struck the oil tanker Stena Immaculate while it was anchored in the North Sea, about 10 miles from the English coastline.

The collision, which occurred just before 10 a.m. local time, left one crew member from the Solong missing, while the rest were safely brought ashore, according to the vessel’s owner, Ernst Russ. All crew members aboard the Stena Immaculate were reported safe by Crowley, a U.S. logistics firm managing the tanker. Ambulance services treated 36 people upon reaching the shore.

The Solong was transporting an unknown quantity of alcohol and 15 containers of sodium cyanide, Lloyd’s List reported. The highly toxic substance can release hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with water, raising concerns about potential contamination. Authorities have yet to confirm if any cyanide entered the sea.

Videos of the incident revealed black smoke billowing from the ships, with flames engulfing at least one vessel. Crowley reported multiple explosions aboard the Stena Immaculate, which was carrying military jet fuel and marine diesel. The tanker was en route to Killingholme, England, for re-supply before heading to the Mediterranean.

The Solong had departed the Scottish port of Grangemouth on Sunday evening, bound for Rotterdam, Netherlands, at the time of the collision. The cause of the crash remains unclear, but the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are expected to launch an investigation.

Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the nearby Port of Grimsby East, expressed surprise at the collision, noting the advanced navigation technology onboard modern vessels. “It’s difficult to actually suggest what went on, other than the fact it should never have happened,” Boyers told CNN.

Environmental groups, including Greenpeace UK, voiced concern over the potential ecological impact. While experts suggest jet fuel spills are less harmful than crude oil due to quicker biodegradation, the presence of sodium cyanide could complicate cleanup efforts. Mark Sephton, Professor of Organic Geochemistry at Imperial College London, noted that jet fuel evaporates rapidly, reducing some environmental risks.

The situation remains tense as rescue teams search for the missing crew member and authorities assess the environmental impact of the hazardous cargo.

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