Russian captain charged after fatal North Sea collision
Russian captain Vladimir Motin of the container ship Solong, which collided with an American tanker carrying jet fuel in the North Sea on Monday, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and gross negligence.
What you need to know
- The collision occurred in the North Sea, where the container ship Solong, under the Portuguese flag, struck the American tanker MV Stena Immaculate.
- As a result of the collision, one of the Solong crew members died, and 36 other sailors were safely evacuated to shore.
- The accident caused fires and a jet fuel spill from the tanker. Fortunately, most of the fuel burned off, reducing the risk of an environmental disaster.
Rammed a tanker carrying jet fuel
The collision occurred on Monday when the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong, which was transporting jet engine fuel, struck the American-chartered MV Stena Immaculate at nearly full speed.
As a result of the collision, one of the Solong crew members died, and the rest of the crew, consisting of Filipinos and Russians, was safely evacuated.
The captain has been charged
Vladimir Motin, the captain of the container ship, was detained and charged with involuntary manslaughter and gross negligence. Motin will remain in custody and appear in court on Saturday in Hull, northern England. The court session is scheduled for 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
The accident caused large fires and explosions and a jet fuel leak into the sea, raising concerns about an ecological disaster. However, these concerns were alleviated when it was revealed that most of the fuel had burned off, and no further leaks were detected.
Reuters emphasizes that the incident occurred amid heightened tensions between London and Moscow.
