An oil tanker has burst into flames after being struck by a cargo vessel off the coast of Yorkshire – sparking fears of an environmental disaster.

Today, the US-flagged tanker MV Stena Immaculate was struck by the Portugal-flagged container ship MV Solong while anchored off the coast of Humber Estuary, Hull.

Footage shared by the BBC appears to show huge plumes of black smoke rising from the scene of the smash, as a large inferno rages out of control. 

Both ships are now ablaze, with fires also raging on the water – with port bosses saying they spotted a ‘massive fireball’. 

A major rescue mission now underway, with coastguards have issued an urgent call for ships to join a search and rescue effort. 

Some 20 people have been pulled ashore.  

Helicopters have arrived at the scene where the 600ft-long MV Stena Immaculate, believed to be carrying a significant amount of jet fuel, is on fire.

Lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes, have been scrambled, as well as a number of firefighters.

Civilian boats have responded to the emergency as well, as shown by ship tracking site Marinetraffic, with several vessels present around the distressed ships.

More than 20 casualties have been brought ashore at Grimsby the smash, but some crew members are yet to be accounted for, a port boss has said.

Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, said 13 casualties were initially brought in on a Windcat 33 vessel, followed by another 10 on a harbour pilot boat.

Mr Boyers said he had been told there was ‘a massive fireball’, adding: ‘It’s too far out for us to see – about 10 miles – but we have seen the vessels bringing them in.

‘They must have sent a mayday out – luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already.

‘Since then there has been a flotilla of ambulances to pick up anyone they can find.’

The casualties’ conditions remain unclear.

An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: ‘HM Coastguard is currently co-ordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire.

‘The alarm was raised at 9.48am.

‘A Coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.

‘The incident remains ongoing.’

Maritime experts at Navy Lookout tweeted about the incident on X, writing: ‘Search & Rescue helicopters attending Oil tanker MV Stena Immaculate on fire after being struck by container ship MV Solong while at anchor off the Humber Estuary this morning.’ 

Specialist vessels with firefighting hoses have reportedly been sent to the scene to try and quell the inferno. 

It’s unknown how many people – if any – have been injured. 

However, the BBC has reported that a number of sailors have abandoned the ships following the collision.

In a recording reportedly of the coastguard’s alert to the disaster, sailors were warned: ‘Solong has collided with tanker Stena Immaculate in the outer anchorage. Both vessels are abandoning. 

‘Vessels who have firefighting equipment or who can assist with search and rescue [should] contact Humber coastguard on Channel 16. 

‘Vessel Stena Immaculate is carrying jet A-1 fuel which is on fire and in the water. Request vessels remain at a safe distance.’

It’s believed Stena Immaculate had travelled from the Greek port of Agioi Theodoroi, and was anchored outside Hull.

The 461ft Solong, meanwhile, had been sailing from the Scottish port of Grangemouth to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

The ship displaces 7,852 ton and is thought to have been carrying commercial goods. It was built in 2005.

The 600ft Stena Immaculate, built in 2017, is far larger, weighing in at 29,854 tons.