29.06.2022
Fatal load drop
A port crane loading choline containers onto a ship at Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba dropped one of them onto the quay on Monday causing it to rupture and explode, with the escaping gas killing 13 people and injuring more than 260 others.
The local authorities blamed the tragic incident on the crane - a Gottwald mobile harbour crane - malfunctioning, although the cause is more likely to be related to the sling or hoist cable failure, or even a lifting lug on the chlorine tank container frame.
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The damaged tank
Residents of Aqaba city, which is 10 miles/16km north of the port, were advised to stay inside and close their windows. At the same time Aqaba's southern beach, which is around 4.5 miles/7.2km away was also evacuated as a precaution.
UPDATE
We have heard that the incident was caused by the failure of two wire rope slings which simply parted around 500mm below the loops for the hook, we have received photographs of the slings, but have not totally corroborated that this was in fact the cause, but it certainly look to be the case.
The video below shows the incident and the subsequent investigation.
GazT
The load appears to remain horizontal so I'd be swerving away from a frame lug. I'd expect to see more of a severe change in attitude if a frame lug had failed. Whatever the cause, I hope it is investigated thoroughly and the findings shared so we can learn from what had happened. Sad day.
Crane lads
Definitely not the hoist rope looks like chains or wire rope. The snatch chain is still on block I think.