Police granted 36 more hours to question Russian captain of North Sea crash ship

13 March 2025, 19:10 | Updated: 13 March 2025, 21:24

Police have been granted an additional 36 hours to question the captain of a container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea on Monday.

The 59-year-old Russian man was the captain of Solong, which struck the US tanker Stenna Immaculate off the east coast of Yorkshire.

The man was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter and was taken into Humberside Police custody.

Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said: "An extension has been granted by the magistrates' court to detain the man in custody for a further 36 hours.

"Detectives are continuing to question him following his arrest on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision.

"Extensive lines of inquiry by police into any potential criminal offences which arise from the collision between the two vessels are ongoing, whilst partner agencies continue their own assessments of the incident."

Mr Nicholson added that the force is supporting the family of a Solong crew member who went missing after the crash and is presumed dead.

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said "both vessels are presently stable", although there are "small pockets of fire" on the top deck of Solong.

He said: "The Stena Immaculate remains at anchor. The Solong continues to be held in a safe location by tug.

The coastguard added that damage on the vessels is being assessed, while surveillance flights continue to monitor the two ships.