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| Germany explosion: At least one dead and several missing after huge blast at world's biggest chemical producer | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| At least one person has died and several remain missing after a huge explosion at a chemical factory in Germany. | At least one person has died and several remain missing 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 fire was still burning five hours after the blast, when authorities confirmed the first death. | The fire was still burning five hours after the blast, when authorities confirmed the first death. |
| Uwe Liebelt, BASF's plant manager, said: "We deeply regret that one employee has died and several have been injured. We extend our sympathy to those affected and their families." | Uwe Liebelt, BASF's plant manager, said: "We deeply regret that one employee has died and several have been injured. We extend our sympathy to those affected and their families." |
| Six workers suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment, a spokesperson added, while six others remained missing. There were fears the death toll would rise as recovery work continued. | Six workers suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment, a spokesperson added, while six others remained missing. There were fears the death toll would rise as recovery work continued. |
| BASF said work on a pipeline was believed to be the cause of the blast at around 11.30am local time (10.30am BST). | BASF 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 statement said. "Several people were injured. Several people are still missing." | "Work on a pipeline led to an explosion with secondary fires," a statement said. "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 of the apparent industrial accident. | The cause of the blast was under investigation as emergency services fought the flames, with German authorities informed of the apparent industrial accident. |
| 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. | 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 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. |