At Køge Harbor, they are still dealing with the aftermath of a fire that broke out on the cargo ship “Rix Munte” on Tuesday afternoon, loaded with plastic and metal waste. The fire, which has now been extinguished, led to a serious leaning of the ship, raising fears of capsizing. Thomas Elm Kampmann, director of Køge Harbor, explains that on Wednesday morning the ship was still leaning towards the quay, but the condition has improved compared to Tuesday night. “There was a greater lean last night, but the situation now looks more stable. However, we are not out of the danger zone yet,” he says.
The incident has caused disruptions in the port’s operation. A ferry from Rønne, which was supposed to arrive on Tuesday evening, was delayed and only arrived in the harbor after midnight. Kampmann explains that the ferry had to slow down and wait for the situation to stabilize. During the fire, hazardous smoke was released, drifting over the city of Køge. Authorities quickly reacted and urged citizens to stay indoors and close doors and windows. A siren alert was also issued, causing further concern among the city’s residents. “We are grateful for the quick reaction and cooperation of the citizens during this incident. It is important to emphasize that the fire is now under control, and citizens can safely move around the area again,” adds Kampmann.
The police are still present at the harbor, investigating the cause of the fire on the ship, which arrived at Køge Harbor from Helsingborg in Sweden earlier that same day. So far, it is unclear what exactly caused the fire. Authorities also took the opportunity to remind that on Wednesday, sirens will be tested nationwide as part of a routine test, and this should not be confused with a new emergency situation related to the fire in Køge.