An oil tanker and a cargo ship have collided off the eastern coast of England, setting both vessels on fire and prompting a rescue operation that has brought at least 32 casualties onshore.

The United Kingdom’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson reported that the crash occurred off East Yorkshire, causing a fire in a busy shipping lane.

Both the oil tanker and cargo vessel were ablaze, with British media showing images of a huge plume of black smoke and flames rising from the scene.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of the collision, while search and rescue efforts continue in the area.