On 19 June a fatal accident occurred aboard the inland motor freighter Ronny-O, at Waalhaven in the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
As reported, the incident occurred in the vessel’s hold while employees from the transshipment company were unloading steel plates at Terminal C of the Steinweg-Handelsveem. Unfortunately, two workers lost their lives and two others sustained serious injuries.
While the exact circumstances remain unclear, a captain from a vessel reportedly stated that he suspected steel plates had fallen on the two deceased individuals.
Furthermore, emergency services responded quickly and the skipper of a nearby vessel reportedly administered first aid which followed by the arrival of a trauma helicopter, fire brigade and police. Resuscitation efforts were made and the two injured workers were evacuated from the hold using a crane.
The Dutch Labour Inspectorate has launched a formal investigation and to support the inquiry, the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region has designated the site a crime scene.
Waalhaven 6 remains closed until further notice as authorities work to determine the cause of the accident.
