The captain of a cargo ship that collided with a United States tanker remains in British police custody, as authorities continue to investigate the deadly incident. The ship’s owner, German shipping company Ernst Russ, confirmed on Wednesday that the detained man is a 59-year-old Russian national. He was arrested on Tuesday in northeast England on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence. However, he has not yet been charged.
The cargo vessel, named Solong and registered under the flag of Portugal, was carrying a crew of 14 people consisting of Russian and Filipino nationals. On Monday, it collided with a tanker transporting jet fuel for the United States military in the North Sea off the eastern coast of England. The crash caused both vessels to catch fire, resulting in significant damage and raising concerns about potential environmental consequences. One crew member from the Solong is presumed dead.
British authorities have stated that they do not suspect foul play in the collision. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under scrutiny. Given the captain’s nationality and the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Russia, scepticism lingers over whether all factors leading to the crash have been fully disclosed. Investigators are continuing their work to determine the exact causes of the collision and whether safety protocols were adequately followed.
The collision has sparked fears of environmental harm due to the tanker’s cargo of jet fuel. Experts are assessing the extent of any fuel spillage and the potential impact on marine ecosystems in the North Sea. The presence of a Russian captain at the centre of the case has drawn particular attention, given past maritime incidents involving Russian-controlled vessels.
For now, the captain remains in custody while authorities gather further evidence. The shipping company has not provided details on the captain’s prior record or whether any technical issues contributed to the collision. The coming days may shed more light on whether this was a tragic accident or a case of serious negligence.
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