Second fatal accident at Rotterdam port business; Three workers killed since June
A worker has died in a workplace accident aboard a ship at the Botlek Terminal in the port of Rotterdam, marking the second fatal incident at the C. Steinweg Group in three months and the third worker to die in that period. According to NOS, the man was working in the ship’s hold with colleagues when the accident occurred. The exact cause is not yet known, and the Dutch Labor Inspectorate is investigating.
C. Steinweg described the accident as devastating. “Emergency services arrived quickly, but unfortunately nothing could be done for the victim,” the company said. “Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues involved. We are doing everything we can to support them and hope to learn more soon.”
In June, at a different Steinweg location in Rotterdam’s Waalhaven, two workers died and two others were seriously injured while unloading steel plates from a ship. Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and a trauma helicopter, responded after the first call. The Dutch Labor Inspectorate and police opened a joint investigation into that incident.
FNV labor union official Niek Stam had previously criticized Steinweg’s safety record, noting that at least four workers had died previously in separate accidents at the company. “If an employer is so often negligent, more is needed than just fines,” Stam said.
