In the events that followed, six people died and seven sustained serious injuries, with other minors among those affected. This outcome was confirmed by the Dutch police after the incident that occurred on Saturday in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. A transport truck belonging to the Murcian company El Mosca led a group of neighbors who were enjoying a barbecue at the edge of a dam in a small port city village.
According to state television NOS, the 46-year-old driver was not injured in the crash. He was detained by authorities as part of the investigation and transported to the police station for questioning regarding the fatal traffic incident. Reports indicate that he also submitted to a breathalyzer test, which yielded a negative result.
The driver’s account asserts that another vehicle suddenly blocked his path, leaving him with little room to maneuver. He explains that he tried to avoid a collision, lost control, and veered off the road, ultimately landing near the filming area of the incident.
The authorities’ statements suggest a broader context: a van failed to yield, and the truck, attempting to evade the situation, entered a roundabout in a moment described as tragically unfortunate, where people were gathered for a barbecue. The driver is identified as Spanish, and statements from El Mosca’s CEO Pedro José Hernández to media outlets indicate that the company is deeply distressed by the events.
UPDATE persbericht – Zaterdagavond rond 18.00 uur vroeg in de avond in Zuidzijdsedijk nabij Nieuw-Beijerland. De truck raakte meerdere mensen terwijl hulpdiensten snel ter plaatse kwamen. Zes mensen zijn overleden en zeven zijn ernstig gewond. Het onderzoek is in volle gang.
— Politie Eenheid Rotterdam eo (@POL_Rotterdam) 28 August 2022
Saturday night, around 6:00 p.m., a truck in Nieuw-Beijerland collided with several pedestrians. Six people were reported dead and seven injured, with serious injuries among the victims. The investigation continues at full speed as officials gather evidence and assess the scene.
Rotterdam police stated that the cause of the crash is under investigation. Authorities indicated that investigators would first inspect the scene before the truck could be removed, and they appealed for cooperation from witnesses who may have photos or videos that shed light on the sequence of events.
Rescue operations were extensive and expected to take hours. Dozens of emergency responders were deployed, including ambulances, helicopters, and a crane, to reach and secure the vehicle and assist those affected by the crash at the site of the incident.