Oil tanker and cargo ship collide in North Sea, triggering rescue mission

An oil tanker and a cargo ship collided in the North Sea off the UK coast on Monday, triggering a rescue mission.

The tanker has caught on fire, according to reports. UK authorities have launched lifeboats and firefighting vessels to the scene some 10 nautical miles out from the city of Hull, domestic media say.

The cargo ship has since been identified as the Portuguese vessel registered in Madeira, sailing under the name Solong. It was heading towards the Netherlands.

"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," a coastguard spokesperson said on Monday.

"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 firefighting capability," the statement added.

The extent of the damage and any casualties are unknown at this time.

This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.