Explosion injures 12 on Royal Caribbean ship

A fuel tank exploded on a pier in Gibraltar injuring 12 passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship docked nearby.

Independence of the Seas, retracted the gangway and immediately moved away from the dock, the cruise line said in a statement.

"Twelve guests sustained minor injuries and have received medical treatment onboard," Royal Caribbean added.

According to the Gibraltar Chronicle, two people were injured ashore.

Police have not ruled out terrorist involvement, but the more likely cause appears to have been welding work which was being carried out on the top of the tank.