Explosion in Bergen 1944
Coordinates: 60°23′58″N 5°18′59″E / 60.39944°N 5.31639°E
The Harbour explosion occurred in Bergen, Norway on 20 April 1944.
History[]
The Dutch vessel Voorbode loaded with 273,000 lb of explosives caught fire and exploded by the quay in the center of Bergen at 08:39. 158 people (including 98 civilians) were killed and some 4,800 wounded. 131 houses were destroyed outright, while 117 were so damaged that they had to be condemned.
Evacuation[]
Following the explosion 4,260 children were evacuated. Important cultural buildings, including Nykirken, the Customs House, Bryggen, the Rosenkrantz Tower and the Haakon's Hall, were severely damaged, but have later been restored.
Photos[]
Bryggen after the explosion
Burning and damaged houses after explosion in Vågen, Bergen on 20 April 1944
Ruined houses in the center of Bergen
Stavangerskes coaster sinking by the quay in Dreggen
German officers from Kriegsmarine, Heer and on inspection after the accident. Among them Reichskommissar für Norwegen Josef Terboven and Admiral Otto von Schrader. In the background Rosenkrantz Tower and Haakon's Hall
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Explosion in Bergen 1944. |
- Article on the incident by the University of Bergen
- Digitalt fortalt: "Evakueringen" by Åsta Vadset, Bergen byarkiv (accessed 7 April 2011)
- Explosions in 1944
- 20th century in Bergen
- Explosions in Norway
- 1944 in Norway
- Maritime incidents in April 1944