One person was killed and several others injured on Thursday following an explosion that shook the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances and cause of the incident.
Rotterdam police stated in a post on 'X' that the explosion occurred in the morning, highlighting that investigations are ongoing and a security perimeter has been established as investigators arrive at the scene.
The authorities dispatched six ambulances, a medical helicopter, and fire teams to the incident site in the 'Europoort' area, a vast industrial zone containing numerous petrochemical facilities within the Port of Rotterdam.
A Rotterdam police spokesperson noted that the cause of the explosion remains unclear, indicating that 'there are no immediate signs of deliberate intent, but this possibility remains among several scenarios under investigation,' as mentioned to 'The Sun.'
Local media reported several power outages in the port earlier in the day. Meanwhile, local safety authorities and police continue to investigate whether there is a connection between the power outages and the explosion.
The Dutch police confirmed that the explosion at the Port of Rotterdam coincided with a power cut.