VIDEO: Ferry Smashes into Port of Barcelona, Huge Crane Explodes

   October 31, 2018 ,   Accidents

A huge rail-mounted gantry crane (serving boxships) crashed to the ground at Port Barcelona after being hit by a cruiseferry due to harsh weather in the harbour.

The 420-passenger ship GNV Excellent, which is operated by Italian ferry company Grandi Navi Veloci, hit the gantry crane after being pushed off its course by high winds just after 8 am on October 31.

The collision then caused a blaze that led to firefighters evacuating the area.

No injuries were reported, although 2 people are said to have been treated by medics due to panic attack. 60 passengers were due to disembark the ferry and another 115 to board the vessel bound for Tangier.

The fire was brought under control at around 11:00 a.m. local time. It is thought to have begun after the crane hit the fuel deposit behind it when crashing to the ground.

It affected a number of containers by the port-side, forcing authorities to activate emergency response plan as 2 of the containers contained dangerous chemicals. Black smoke from the scene could be seen across Barcelona.