A CMA CGM container vessel collided with the harbour wall while berthing at Jebel Ali Port, Terminal 1 on May 4 striking the leg of a quay crane causing it to fall, Dubai-based terminal operator DP World confirmed.
A second crane was also shifted off its rails during the incident but remained upright and stable.
Nine people sustained minor injuries and one person suffered moderate injuries, the company said, adding that there were no fatalities.
As disclosed, the injured persons have been provided with the medical treatment at the DP World Medical Clinic at the terminal, while the gentleman with the moderate injury, a fractured arm and leg, was taken to hospital and is currently in a stable condition.
“DP World’s terminal safety teams responded immediately to the incident and head office global safety teams joined them on site within five minutes. Working with external emergency response teams, the area was evacuated and an exclusion zone created. Safety drones were also deployed to survey the area, locate anyone in need of medical assistance and to ensure the safety of the responding crews,” DP World added.
An investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the incident.
According to DP World, the collapsed quay crane will be removed following all necessary safety procedures once the investigation has been completed. The second crane is under assessment for structural integrity and not in use until further notice.
“All necessary measures were taken to minimise disruption of service to customers during the emergency response activation and in the subsequent investigation phase,” the company added.
The incident comes just a week after a crane collapse at South Korea’s shipyard Samsung Heavy Industries that killed six workers and injured up to 20 people at the site.
The accident occurred on May 1 at the Geoje yard when two cranes collided, causing a structure to fall from one of the cranes. The fatal incident happened during the construction of an oil platform for a French energy company.
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