News

Cruise passengers injured in Gibraltar explosion

Ten Independence of the Seas passengers have been injured in an explosion at the port of Gibraltar.

The guests sustained minor injuries and were treated on board.

Police are investigating the cause of the blast, which took place at the British territory’s main fuel storage facility on the northern part of the harbour.

“The lid of the [diesel] tank was blown off by the blast,” a police spokesman told AFP news agency.

He added that the possibility of another explosion could not be ruled out.

The Royal Caribbean ship – which arrived in Gibraltar on Tuesday morning – was forced to pull out to sea for safety.

It had been due to leave at 1600 local time (1400 GMT), just before the blast, according to AFP news agency.

Royal Caribbean said in a statement that two people had been on shore at the time of the explosion but had not been harmed.

The ship was on a 14-night itinerary that departed Southampton on Saturday.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.