North Sea oil tanker fire still raging as US probes causes

By Noah Keate | 03/11/2025 06:41 AM EDT

The U.S. Stena Immaculate chemical tanker was carrying some 35 million liters of aviation fuel for the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command.

The Stena Immaculate tanker that collided with the Solong container vessel appear at a distance off the coast of Withernsea, east of England.

The U.S. Stena Immaculate tanker that collided with the Solong container vessel both appear at a distance off the coast of Withernsea, England, on Tuesday. Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images

LONDON — United States, Portuguese and British authorities are investigating what caused a cargo ship to collide with an oil tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military off the coast of eastern England on Monday.

With the fire still blazing, British government minister Matthew Pennycook said Tuesday morning the three governments were working together after the crash set both vessels alight and triggered a major rescue operation.

But he refused to speculate on potential causes, including foul play.

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The U.S. Stena Immaculate chemical tanker was carrying around 35 million liters of aviation fuel for the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The fuel has a high boiling point, meaning it evaporates slowly and is relatively toxic.

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