An oil tanker from Iran has erupted in flames after colliding with an American freighter in the East China Sea. Thirty Iranians and two Bangladeshis were on board, but there were no survivors. Rescuers were prevented from searching because of toxic fumes from condensate, the cargo, which is a byproduct of natural gas production. Russia and the Middle East are the main producers, but output in the USA is increasing due to shale oil exploration. Condensate makes jet fuel, petrol, diesel and heating fuel once it is stabilised, but is more flammable and explosive than normal crude oil. Oil spills are extremely poisonous and difficult to contain and manage. Officials say that the burning tanker could spill three times as much oil as the Exxon Valdez did in 1989, and worry that the ship might explode and sink, releasing 1 million barrels of oil into the water. See also