Fires have erupted on a US-flagged oil tanker and a Portuguese container ship following a collision in the North Sea, north of England, officials confirmed.
“HM Coastguard is currently coordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire resulting in fires aboard both vessels,” the UK coast guard said in a statement.
The vessels involved have been identified as the Stena Immaculate for the US and the other ship for Portugal.
A helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, multiple lifeboats, and firefighting vessels have been deployed as part of the response effort.
“The incident remains ongoing and an assessment of the likely counter pollution response required is being enacted,” the coast guard said in a statement.
==== ABC News =====
Lakurawa terrorists kill 13, burn 7 villages in latest Kebbi attack
In what appears to be a reprisal attack, suspected terrorists on Sunday stormed Birnin Dede village in Kebbi State, killing 13 people and setting seven villages ablaze.
According to a local resident, Malam Umar, the attackers targeted villages near Birnin Dede, all located in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He claimed the assault was in retaliation for the recent killing of their leader, Maigemu, by a combined force of security operatives in the state.
“The terrorists burned down several villages, sparing only one that was protected by soldiers. We seek protection from Allah against this dreaded group,” Malam Umar said via telephone.
The attack follows a security operation led by the Kebbi State Government, during which Maigemu, a notorious terrorist kingpin, was eliminated. The operation was backed by Governor Nasir Idris as part of efforts to curb violent activities in the state.
However, attempts to get a response from the Kebbi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, SP Nafiu Abubakar, did not respond to calls or text messages requesting further details.
