Gibraltar fuel depot explosion rocks port, two hurt
An explosion and fire have rocked the port of the British territory of Gibraltar, injuring two people, a police spokesman has told the BBC.
The blast took place at the territory's main fuel storage facility, close to a cruise ship docked at a pier.
One of those hurt received minor burns, while the other suffered more serious injuries, according to reports. Emergency workers are at the scene.
Police are investigating the cause of the explosion.
The blast took place at a tank containing diesel to refuel ships, a police spokesman said.
"The lid of the tank was blown off by the blast," he told AFP news agency. "Two people were injured, one very seriously, and both are in hospital."
Dense black smoke could be seen from the city centre, according to AFP.
Southampton-based cruise ship Independence of the Seas, which arrived in Gibraltar on Tuesday morning, had been due to leave at 1600 local time (1400 GMT), just before the blast.
Gibraltar is a 6.5 sq km (2.6 sq mile) British territory of around 30,000 people off the tip of southern Spain.
BBC News
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