Lifeboats and a coastguard have been scrambled after an oil tanker collided with a cargo ship in the North Sea.
The collision happened in the Humber Estuary on Monday and the US flagged tanker called the MV Stena Immaculate was at anchor.
A 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.”
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, told the PA news agency 13 casualties was initially brought in, 10 more came in on a harbour pilot boats and nine more can in another vessel following a “massive fireball.”
He added, “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.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “I’m concerned to hear of the collision between two vessels in the North Sea this morning and am liaising with officials and HM Coastguard as the situation develops.
“I want to thank all emergency service workers involved for their continued efforts in responding to the incident.”
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