Emergency crews were sent to Gunvor Energy’s Europoort facility on Thursday following an explosion during maintenance work. Authorities confirmed one fatality and injuries, although the number of people hurt and their condition remained unclear.
Explosion during maintenance work
The explosion occurred at around 11.30 am local time at the refinery in Europoort, part of the Port of Rotterdam and one of the world’s largest chemical and petrochemical industrial areas.
A Gunvor Energy spokesperson told AFP that a subcontractor had been carrying out maintenance work on a tank manhole when the accident occurred.
Ambulances and a medical helicopter were deployed shortly after the explosion, according to media reports.
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and is home to oil refineries, liquefied natural gas terminals and several petrochemical facilities. Shell, ExxonMobil, BP and Gunvor Energy are among the major energy companies operating there.
❗️🇳🇱 #NOW: Explosion at the Port of #Rotterdam in the #Netherlands
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Police confirm that at least one person was killed and several others were injured. The cause of the blast remains unclear, and an investigation is underway.
Further details have not yet been released. pic.twitter.com/aiWVAOOCoq
Authorities investigate the cause
An investigation has been launched to determine what caused the accident. Police said there were no immediate indications of sabotage, although it remained among the scenarios being examined.
Gunvor Energy said it was cooperating with the authorities.
LNG terminals unaffected
A port spokesperson said the explosion had no impact on LNG terminal operations and was not connected to power outages reported earlier on Thursday.
Shell also said its activities at the port were unaffected.
Separately, ExxonMobil shut down all units at its Rotterdam refinery, which has a capacity of 191,000 barrels per day, because of a power outage, according to a Wood Mackenzie notice to clients seen by Reuters.
Source: APE-MPE
