Fatal ship incident in Rotterdam left two dead, two hurt
A serious accident aboard a ship docked in Rotterdam’s Waalhaven on Thursday morning resulted in two fatalities and two serious injuries, RTL reported. The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. on a vessel moored at a company located on Zaltbommelstraat. Authorities are investigating the exact cause.
Emergency services, including police, fire brigade, and the trauma helicopter, responded swiftly after the first emergency call. The four victims were found in the ship’s cargo hold. Two were transported to the hospital with serious injuries, while two others died at the scene.
The employer, Steinweg, confirmed the victims were working in the ship’s hold unloading steel plates when the accident happened. The company declined to provide detailed information out of respect for those affected, stating, "We deeply sympathize with them."
The Dutch Labor Inspectorate and police have launched a joint investigation. Due to the severity of the incident, the accident site was declared a crime scene. The identities of the victims have not been disclosed.
This is not the first fatal workplace accident at the company. FNV labor union official Niek Stam told RTL that at least four workers have died previously in separate accidents there. Stam criticized the employer’s safety record and called on the Labor Inspectorate to take stronger action, stating, "If an employer is so often negligent, more is needed than just fines."
