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| Germany explosion: Several missing and injured after huge blast at world's largest chemical producer | Germany explosion: Several missing and injured after huge blast at world's largest chemical producer |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Several people are missing and others seriously injured after a huge explosion at a chemical factory in Germany. | |
| Footage showed flames rising hundreds of feet into the air from BASF's headquarters in Ludwigshafen on Monday. | Footage showed flames rising hundreds of feet into the air from BASF's headquarters in Ludwigshafen on Monday. |
| The company said work on a pipeline was believed to be the cause of the blast at around 11.30am local time (10.30am BST). | |
| "Work on a pipeline led to an explosion with secondary fires," a spokesperson for BASF said. | "Work on a pipeline led to an explosion with secondary fires," a spokesperson for BASF said. |
| "Several people were injured. Several people are still missing." | "Several people were injured. Several people are still missing." |
| The cause of the blast was under investigation as emergency services fought the flames, with German authorities informed. | The cause of the blast was under investigation as emergency services fought the flames, with German authorities informed. |
| Residents in the western cities of Ludwigshafen and neighbouring Mannheim were asked to remain inside and keep their doors and windows closed as black smoke spread from the blaze. | Residents in the western cities of Ludwigshafen and neighbouring Mannheim were asked to remain inside and keep their doors and windows closed as black smoke spread from the blaze. |
| Children were also kept inside at nurseries and schools, with local residents reporting breathing difficulties according to the Rheinpfalz newspaper. | |
| The chemical complex is the headquarters of BASF, the world's largest chemical producer, which employs 33,000 people at its factory in Ludwigshafen alone. | |
| The company produces a wide range of industrial products, including solvents, glues, petrochemicals, plastics and fertiliser. | The company produces a wide range of industrial products, including solvents, glues, petrochemicals, plastics and fertiliser. |
| It has set up emergency phonelines for anyone concerned about the explosion, who were being asked to call 0800 5050 500. | It has set up emergency phonelines for anyone concerned about the explosion, who were being asked to call 0800 5050 500. |