IRELAND – Explosion on Docked Chemical Tanker in Ireland Seriously Injures Two

An onboard explosion on a docked chemical tanker at Shannon Foynes Port in County Limerick, Ireland, left two men seriously injured on 24 June. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. local time and involved the Norwegian-registered vessel Bow Hercules.

The blast was caused by a gas cylinder explosion while the vessel was undergoing maintenance. Reports indicate that the two injured individuals—Filipino nationals—were performing routine work near one of the ship’s lifeboats, close to where the cylinder detonated.

Emergency services, including paramedics and Gardaí (Irish police), responded swiftly to the scene. One of the injured men was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, while the other was airlifted to Cork University Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

All port operations at Shannon Foynes were temporarily suspended as crews worked to secure the area. In a public statement, the Shannon Foynes Port Company confirmed the seriousness of the injuries and noted that both men had been hospitalized.

The port authority also announced that an investigation is underway in coordination with relevant agencies to determine the exact circumstances leading to the explosion.

Photo credit: Brendan Gleeson. All rights reserved.