Pollution from a collision between a cargo ship and oil tanker in the North Sea is an βimmediate environmental disasterβ, according to experts.
Leaking oil and fuel being released could leave a βtoxic legacyβ for ocean wildlife that should be protected, according to Hugo Tagholm.
The executive director of Oceana UK said oil pollution could have a βlong term impactβ on ecosystems which are home to threatened seabird colonies, grey seals, harbour porpoises, fish, and minke whales.
Fires on both vessels continued to burn overnight after the Solong struck the US-chartered Stena Immaculate off the coast of Humberside shortly before 10am on Monday.
Martin Slater, Director of Operations at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, said he was βvery worriedβ about the impact any spill could have on wildlife populations including significant colonies of seabirds, as well as wintering waders and migrating birds.
Dr Jonathan Paul, from the earth sciences department at Royal Holloway, University of London, said that if sodium cyanide has leaked from the Solong cargo ship, there is a βpotential immediate risk to humans and wildlifeβ.
