Marine

21.11, explosion, fatalities

Ecuador: an explosion on board general fishing vessel Andrea F while berthed in the International Terminal of Ecuador killed five people. The incident occurred during the unloading of 450 tonnes of frozen tuna fish, when one box of frozen fish went through the net and hit the pipe causing the escape of ammonia gas. The latter, for a reason not yet known, exploded. Another 40 people belonging to the team hired to unload the cargo suffered severe burns and intoxication. There was also damage to the vessel. According to the vessel’s owners, Pespesca S. A., the company’s insurance would cover all the medical and funeral expenses incurred as a result of the explosion.