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Terror ruled out in BASF explosion in Ludwigshafen

Published: October 18, 2016, 11:05 am

    A deadly explosion at a BASF chemical plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany in which two people lost their lives, is being investigated, but officials say terrorism has been ruled out.

    The accident could have been caused by either flammable liquids or liquid gas on Monday morning at a river harbor.

    After a plume of black smoke rose over the western German town of Ludwigshafen, investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the explosion at the chemical plant.

    Two people were killed, two remain missing and six have been severely injured.

    A spokesman for Ludwigshafen police said early on Tuesday, although the situation remains unclear: “The fire has been extinguished.”

    “It’s difficult for the rescue workers to reach the scene of the accident,” he said.

    Two other employees were still unaccounted for while six suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalized.

    The city of Ludwigshafen reported on Twitter that residents located near the plant were complaining of “respiratory irritation” while videos on social media showed huge flames and thick plumes billowing from the plant.

    Residents in Ludwigshafen and the nearby city of Mannheim were told by police to stay indoors and suggested they close all windows and doors as it wasn’t immediately clear which chemicals could be airborne.

    As a safety precaution, BASF also shut down 14 other production plants and erected water barriers between the northern inland port and the Rhine.

    Monday’s incident follows a devastating gas explosion, close to the BASF chemical plant, two years ago.

    Gas transport company Gascade had punctured a buried pipeline to set off the blast. One excavation worker was killed and 20 other people were injured. Nearby houses and trees were also incinerated.

    karin@praag.org

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