Victims in fatal accident with raised Rotterdam bridge were local women, aged 23 and 27

The two people who died in an accident on the Caland Bridge in Rotterdam early Monday morning were two local women, aged 23 and 27, the police said on Thursday. They drove their car through the barriers of the bridge, which had been raised for shipping traffic, and fell into the water.

The two women worked in the hospitality industry. They were on their way home when the accident happened, their employer AenF said on LinkedIn.

“We are deeply affected by this intense loss. Two beloved colleagues, full of life and dreams for the future, have suddenly been taken from us,” the company said. “We remember Tinisara and Seynab with love and respect and will never forget their enthusiasm and presence.”

The police are still investigating the cause of the accident, but have ruled out foul play. The car fell off the bridge in the Botlek district at around 1:00 a.m. on Monday. Emergency services quickly responded, but only managed to track down the submerged vehicle, with the two women inside, at around 8:15 a.m.

The two women were in a company car. AenF denied reports in some media that they were speeding. “The tracking system in their car indicated that they were driving 63 km p/h when the accident occurred.”