Fatal Blast Hits Rotterdam Port Storage Facility
A blast at a Rotterdam port petroleum storage facility killed one and injured several during maintenance; cause under investigation.
A powerful explosion at a petroleum products storage facility in Europe's largest port, Rotterdam, claimed one life and left several people injured on Thursday. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. local time, according to officials.
The blast took place during maintenance work on a storage tank operated by Gunvor, a major energy commodities trading company. A company spokesperson confirmed the incident and stated that Gunvor is cooperating fully with local authorities as they investigate.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, a police spokesperson indicated that there is no immediate evidence suggesting sabotage. However, all possible scenarios are being considered as part of the ongoing investigation.
The port of Rotterdam is a critical energy hub, housing oil refineries, liquefied natural gas terminals, and numerous petrochemical facilities. Major energy companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, BP, and Gunvor, operate within the port complex.
Following the blast, Shell confirmed that its operations at the port were unaffected. A port spokesperson also stated that LNG terminals were not impacted by the explosion.
In a separate development, consultancy Wood Mackenzie reported that ExxonMobil had shut down all units at its 191,000 barrels-per-day Rotterdam refinery due to a power outage. The port authority clarified that there is no connection between the blast and this power outage. ExxonMobil has not yet responded to requests for comment.