Corrosion identified in Gibraltar tank explosion

An independent report commissioned by the government of Gibraltar has identified corrosion perforations in the roofs of two storage tanks as the cause of the fatal explosion in the port this past May. One person welding a pipe to the guardrail on one of the two tanks died from burns suffered in the explosion. At least 12 other people, including ten on the cruiseship Independence of the Seas berthed nearby, were injured.

The report by Capita Symonds said that more than 20 perforations were found in the roof of Tank No 1, and at least 40 in Tank No 2. These holes allowed flammable vapour to escape into the atmosphere; the report concludes that these vapours were ignited by the welding torch, which caused vapour in the void space of the tank to explode. The flash spread to the second tank.

The report also notes that the corrosion had been identified before the incident but that no repairs had been made. The perforations, the report says, were the result of “long-term corrosion” and “wastage of the steel”.

The tanks formed part of a waste oil reception facility operated by Nature Port Reception Facilities. The company’s licence to operate has been suspended pending a decision by the government, which will also look into whether it is appropriate to keep the reception facility at its current location.