In this study, a first-of-its-kind comparative risk assessment is presented for accidents in the energy sector in EU28 with focus on hydrogen (H-2) and selected fuel cells, namely proton exchange membrane (PEM), phosphoric acid (PAFC), alkaline (AFC) and molten carbonate (MCFC) fuel cells. The analysis is based on PSI's well-established framework for comparative risk assessment, using available historical experience from its ENergy-related Severe Accident Database (ENSAD). For H-2, the technological risks are first identified and characterized to set up the so-called H-2 ENSAD, a subset of ENSAD including historical observations related only to H-2 accidents only. Afterwards risk indicators, namely fatality rate and maximum consequence, have been estimated for H-2 and selected fuel cells, and then compared to fossil fuels, hydro-power and selected new renewable technologies. H-2 and selected fuel cells showed fatality rates lower than natural gas, whereas maximum consequences were similar to other new renewables. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.