Rough Weather Pushes Boat Like Toy, Slams It Into Towering Dock Equipment
It may be difficult to tell from the astonishing footage that was captured of the crash, and at least one person commenting on the video referenced the Sandra Bullock movie “Speed 2.” But it wasn’t a terrorist that sent the boat onto a collision course with the dock.
According to Newsweek, it was likely a combination of the tremendous force and power of strong winds and currents that caused the ferry to crash into the dock in Barcelona.
The crash also lead to a crane toppling. But it didn’t stop there. The crash and toppling were followed by an explosion and a fire that engulfed the dock.
It has been reported that it took firefighters approximately three hours to fight the flames. It is believed that hazardous chemicals stored on the dock lead to the explosion and resulting fire.
Footage shows the moment a ferry collided with a crane in a Barcelona harbor on Wed. The crane slowly fell down before being engulfed in flames as grey smoke billows into the air. There were no injuries, reports say. pic.twitter.com/zm3PCm3cPX
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 1, 2018
This is the moment a ferry caught in bad weather slams into a dock crane, sparking a fire at the port of Barcelona. https://t.co/fW42a4R4P1 pic.twitter.com/Hwbw29QEmy
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 1, 2018
Various images posted online show the flames engulfing the dock. Some also show the thick smoke that filled the air.
New post (Video: Passenger ferry crashes into Barcelona dock) has been published on Bangkok Latest News – https://t.co/7Y0LEyLb3A pic.twitter.com/zC7baTjOwa
— Hanoi Jack (@HanoiJackNews) November 1, 2018
WATCH: The dramatic moment an out-of-control ferry smashes into docks in Barcelona causing huge fireball after it topples shipping crane https://t.co/fz7zgt1Sgm #Andalucia #Barcelona #CrimeLaw #Environment #Lead pic.twitter.com/G9mTFFMFH4
— The Olive Press (@olivepress) November 1, 2018
🔴ACCIDENTE GRAVE🔴
El buque Excellent, de @GNVtraghetti, ha tenido que abortar maniobra de atraque por las malas condiciones meteorológicas. Al intentar salir del Puerto, el viento le ha empujado contra una grúa de TCB (APM), que ha caido pic.twitter.com/qGv3j6vZhR
— Portuaris CNT (@PortuariosCNT) October 31, 2018
Despite the circumstances, Newsweek reported that miraculously there were no injuries or casualties, despite people being onboard the boat and on the dock. Multiple ambulances did respond to the scene, however.
Messing with the weather is no joke when it comes to boating. Strong winds can and have toppled boats, destroyed property and ended lives.
Intense Winds Slam Boat Into Pier, Topple Trees Across LA County [Video] https://t.co/2pqXe5ABxm pic.twitter.com/JQROYWjG54
— Altadena Patch (@AltadenaPatch) March 31, 2017
Man’s body recovered after strong wind topples boat on Grapevine Lake https://t.co/JbmJcRL4LD
— Flower Mound News (@FlowerMoundBL) July 6, 2018
Cabin owner wasn’t here to see winds destroy dock and topple over boat. This is the southern part of Big Sandy Lake pic.twitter.com/f6cpD41mov
— Melissa Colorado (@melissacolorado) July 22, 2014
For context, The Weather Channel provided some data as to how powerful the wind was and the size of the ferry.
Carrying passengers and vehicles, the 650-foot ferry was pushed like a toy boat into the dock by a wind gust recorded to be approximately 40 mph in the Barcelona area.
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