United States, Portuguese and British authorities are still probing the North Sea crash that set both vessels alight and triggered a major rescue operation.
The British government said Tuesday there was “no evidence” of foul play, and confirmed one sailor was assumed dead following the collision. Asked Wednesday whether the nationality of the ship’s captain changed the government’s assessment of the incident, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “We can’t comment on a live police investigation, but I’d point you to Minister [Mike] Kane’s words in the House yesterday where he set out there doesn’t appear to be suggestions of foul play.”
Humberside Police senior investigating officer Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said Tuesday night after announcing the man had been taken into custody: “Extensive work has already been carried out and we are working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected.
“Following inquiries undertaken by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision, this follows the conclusion of search operations by HM Coastguard for the missing crew member of the Solong.”
On Wednesday morning, the U.K’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s said there had been “no further reports of pollution to the sea from either vessel beyond what was observed during the initial incident.”
The Solong, which had broken free of the anchored Stena, was being held offshore by a tugboat.