Collision Near Singapore Ignites Two Oil Tankers, Raising Environmental Concerns

Two large oil tankers collided near Singapore, causing fires and necessitating rescue operations for crew members. The vessels were carrying significant amounts of naphtha and Iranian crude. Authorities are working to prevent potential oil spills, with specialized tugs en route for firefighting and salvage efforts.

Two large oil tankers caught fire on Friday after a collision near Singapore, the world's leading refuelling port. Two crew members were airlifted to a hospital while others were rescued from life rafts, authorities and one of the tanker operators reported.

The Singapore-flagged tanker Hafnia Nile and Sao Tome and Principe-flagged tanker Ceres I collided about 55 km northeast of Singapore's Pedra Branca island, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). All 62 crew members were accounted for, with MPA alerted to the blaze at 6:15 a.m. (2215 GMT).

Authorities are working to prevent environmental damage, with specialized tugs en route to assist in firefighting. Navigational traffic has not been affected, although the vessels' status and potential pollution remain unknown, an International Maritime Organization spokesperson said.

(With inputs from agencies.)