Chemical Leak Causes Explosion at BASF plant in Germany: 18 Injured
An explosion occurred at the BASF chemicals plant in the German city of Ludwigshafen on the morning of 29 July.
This was reported by SWR.
The explosion at the Ludwigshafen plant was reported around noon. Eyewitnesses saw a large column of smoke above the building. Emergency services, police and the environmental inspectorate were called to the scene.
According to the company, the explosion in the southern part of the plant occurred at around 12:00 due to an ‘organic solvent leak’. The fire was extinguished within about 45 minutes. According to BASF, the cause of the solvent leak is still under investigation.
The fire was extinguished after 14:00 local time.
According to BASF, 18 employees and firefighters were slightly injured in the explosion. They received first aid on the spot.
Due to the heavy smoke caused by the fire, residents of Ludwigshafen and neighbouring settlements were asked not to open windows and doors.
Source: webscreenshot of swr.de
In early May, a fire broke out at the Diehl plant in the south-western part of Berlin. As a result, a technical room on the ground floor of the factory building burned to the ground, causing millions of dollars in damage.