Operations at two container terminals in the Port of Antwerp were interrupted on Sunday evening due to a fire in Beveren, the Waasland emergency services said.
"We were informed of a container fire at around 19:30," said Waasland Fire Brigade spokesperson Jolien Van Damme. "It was a container containing yellow phosphorus."
In addition to the two container terminals of MPET and DP World being closed, a ship was also evacuated and shipping traffic in the Deurganckdok was suspended.
The fire was brought under control at around 23:00, but firefighters were still on the scene after it. A consultant was on site to see how the burnt container could be moved safely, added Van Damme, unable to detail the extent of the substance’s harmfulness.
