A carbon monoxide leak in a ship’s hold at Barcelona’s port left ten workers injured, one critically. Emergency services responded overnight at the Muelle de la Energía.
Overnight at Barcelona’s port, a carbon monoxide leak inside the hold of the Ocean Euphrosine left ten workers injured. One is in critical condition, and another was seriously affected. The incident happened at the Muelle de la Energía, an area of the port that handles hazardous cargo. Crews working in these spaces face ongoing risks from toxic gases and confined conditions.
Emergency teams arrived quickly. Nine units from Bombers de Barcelona, along with Guardia Civil, Policía Portuaria, and the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM), responded just after midnight. SEM reported that 19 people needed assessment or treatment. The most serious cases were taken to Hospital Clínic and Moisès Broggi for urgent care.
"A total of 12 ambulances and 9 fire crews were mobilized to the scene, according to local media reports."
La Vanguardia
The Ocean Euphrosine had just finished unloading vegetable oils when the leak happened. The Port de Barcelona classified the event as a workplace accident. The ship was docked at the muelle de inflamables, an area set up for high-risk materials. Despite these precautions, the leak still occurred, raising questions about safety procedures during cargo operations in hazardous environments.
Most of those affected had mild symptoms, but the critical case shows how dangerous carbon monoxide can be in enclosed spaces. The gas is colorless and odorless, and can cause harm within minutes if ventilation is poor. The fast response from emergency teams likely prevented more serious injuries, but the incident points to gaps in current safety oversight.
This is not the first time Spanish infrastructure has faced scrutiny over hazardous incidents. As previous investigations into industrial accidents have shown, lapses in safety measures can have severe consequences, especially when hazardous materials or confined spaces are involved.
"Port de Barcelona officially classified the event as a workplace accident, and both the Guardia Civil and Capitanía Marítima have launched investigations into the causes. As of the latest reports, no definitive explanation for the accumulation of carbon monoxide has been released, and inquiries are ongoing."
Betevé
Even with a fast response, the fact that a leak like this could happen on a ship in a regulated port zone raises concerns for port authorities and shipping operators. The Ocean Euphrosine incident shows that established protocols can fail if there are lapses or unexpected problems. With port activity so central to Spain’s economy, safety failures carry serious risks. Authorities now have to care for the injured and review safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
