Aysu Biçer
12 March 2025•Update: 12 March 2025
LONDON
The captain of the Solong container ship, who was detained following a crash in the North Sea, is a Russian national, the vessel’s owner confirmed Wednesday.
This comes after local British police announced that they arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the crash. He has not been charged.
The police added that the arrest was made to facilitate ongoing investigations.
The crash occurred on Monday off the coast of East Yorkshire, England, when the Solong collided with the Stena Immaculate, a tanker that was at anchor at the time.
The impact caused fires and explosions, with thick black smoke visible from space.
The Stena Immaculate, part of the US government’s tanker security program, is used to carry fuel for military operations if needed.
One person is missing and presumed dead.
Following the crash, Humberside Police launched a criminal investigation to determine the cause of the collision, with cooperation from the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The investigation continues as officials work to piece together the events leading up to the crash, while the crew members’ roles in the incident are being closely examined.
Ernst Russ, the shipping company that owns the Solong, said that the rest of the crew were also Russian and Filipino.
