Video: Rotterdam Ferro Dome evacuated in roof collapse; Snow to disrupt bus services

A partial roof collapse prompted authorities to evacuate the Ferro Dome in Rotterdam amid fears of further structural failure. The former gas storage facility on Keileweg is now used as a live event venue in the city. Separately, heavy snow is expected to disrupt public transport across Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe on Friday.

A spokesperson for Rotterdam Port Authority confirmed the evacuation following reports from Rijnmond. “We want to take no risks, which is why the building was evacuated. There are no people inside. The immediate surroundings have also been cordoned off,” the spokesperson said.

The Ferro Dome, originally a gas factory with a flat roof designed to flex with expanding gas, emitted a loud noise Friday morning as part of the roof gave way. “We heard a kind of bang in the morning. It turned out the roof had indeed collapsed, as confirmed by internal footage. The concern is that the roof could collapse further, which might cause the walls to fail as well,” the spokesperson added.

Construction experts conducted a rapid inspection. “The building appears stable now, but stormy weather is expected tonight and tomorrow. We are taking the safe approach and have closed off the building and surrounding area through the weekend,” the spokesperson said.

The evacuation and closure were coordinated with the Veiligheidsregio Rotterdam-Rijnmond. According to the safety region, no other buildings in Rotterdam currently face similar risks from snow accumulation.

The spokesperson noted that local businesses currently occupy the Ferro Dome, which has also served as an event venue.

Qbuzz services suspended

Meanwhile, in the northern Netherlands, Qbuzz bus services in Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe will be suspended from just after midnight Friday until 9:00 a.m. due to heavy snowfall. The company plans to reassess the possibility of resuming service mid-morning depending on road conditions and weather, according to a statement.

To evaluate whether bus lines in the three northern provinces can resume after 9:00 a.m., the company will conduct inspection trips and consult drivers about conditions. Travelers are advised to monitor Qbuzz’s website and the 9292 journey planner for updates.

“On the Wadden Islands, services will begin as usual on Friday morning. After that, we will determine if and how routes can continue,” Qbuzz added.

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) has issued an orange warning for Friesland, Groningen, Drenthe, and the Wadden Islands. Forecasts call for 5 to 10 centimeters of snow, potentially up to 15 centimeters, combined with strong east winds that could reduce visibility and create snowdrifts, lasting until noon.