One dead, several injured in Rotterdam refinery explosion

One person died and several others were injured following an explosion at a refinery in the Europoort area of Rotterdam's port, a major hub for chemical and petrochemical industries. The industrial accident occurred shortly before noon.

The explosion took place at a refinery operated by the Swiss group Gunvor Energy Rotterdam. According to a company spokesperson, a subcontractor was performing maintenance work inside a storage tank pit when the incident occurred. Traces of the explosion are visible on a tank, and the labor inspectorate has launched an investigation.

Emergency services, including multiple ambulances and a medical helicopter, were dispatched to the scene. Gunvor Energy produces various fuels, including liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. The company is cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation.

Authorities have indicated that this incident appears to be unrelated to a significant power outage and subsequent fire that affected other parts of the port on the same morning. The Exxon refinery was among those impacted by the power failure.