Dutch port explosion in Rotterdam causes one death, police say

AMSTERDAM – An explosion at the Netherlands’ Rotterdam port has caused one death and wounded several others, a Rotterdam police spokesperson said on Aug 13, adding that the cause of the explosion was still unclear and was currently being investigated.

“An explosion occurred on the Moezelweg (road) around 11.30am (5.30pm, Singapore time). We are investigating how this happened,” Rotterdam police said in a post on X.

“The crime scene has been cordoned off.”

Simultaneously, Gunvor Energy, which operates oil product storage tanks in the same area near the port, reported a separate “incident” during maintenance activity that had left at least several people injured on the morning of Aug 13, a spokesperson said.

“We are cooperating with local authorities,” the spokesperson for Gunvor said.

Local media reported that there had been several power outages at Rotterdam port earlier on Aug 13.

Local safety authorities and police said they were still investigating if there was a link between the power outages and the blast.

The Rotterdam port, the largest in Europe, comprises an oil refinery and multiple petrochemicals facilities. REUTERS