A major maritime incident unfolded in the North Sea overnight after a tanker and a cargo ship reportedly collided, prompting an urgent response from the UK Coastguard. The crash, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, March 10, 2025, approximately 60 miles northeast of Great Yarmouth, has raised concerns about potential casualties and environmental damage.
The Coastguard was alerted to the situation around 1:30 AM when distress signals were picked up from one of the vessels. A helicopter from Humberside was scrambled alongside RNLI lifeboats from Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea to assist in the rescue operation. Sky News reports that initial accounts suggest the tanker, carrying chemicals, struck the larger cargo ship amid poor visibility due to fog and high winds.
Details remain sparse, but authorities have confirmed that both ships sustained damage. The cargo ship, laden with containers, is said to be listing but still afloat, while the condition of the tanker is less clear. Search efforts are ongoing for at least two crew members believed to be missing, though the exact number of people on board each vessel has not been released.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency told Sky News that the priority is “ensuring the safety of all personnel involved” while assessing the risk of a spill. Specialist teams are on standby to contain any leakage, given the tanker’s hazardous cargo. Nearby shipping has been diverted, and a no-fly zone has been established over the site to aid rescue operations.
The cause of the collision is under investigation, with weather conditions and human error among the early lines of inquiry. Sky News understands that both vessels are registered to European operators, though their names and origins have yet to be disclosed. Updates are expected later today as the situation develops.
