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Blast at chemical plant in US state of Louisiana | Blast at chemical plant in US state of Louisiana |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 30 people have been injured by an explosion and fire that tore through a chemical plant in the US state of Louisiana. | |
The blast happened at the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, south of Baton Rouge, at about 08:30 local time (13:30 GMT), officials said. | |
Nearby residents have been told to stay indoors with their windows closed. | |
The plant produces flammable gases used in the petrochemical industry. The cause of the blast is unclear. | |
Footage from the scene showed a huge pall of black smoke over the plant. Major roads around the site have been sealed off. | |
A spokeswoman for the Department of Environmental Quality said about 30 people had been taken to hospital by ambulance or helicopter. She did not have details about their injuries. | |
The spokeswoman said tests had not found dangerous levels of chemicals in the air so far. | The spokeswoman said tests had not found dangerous levels of chemicals in the air so far. |
A statement from Williams said that emergency shut-down valves had been closed at the plant and the unit was isolated. | A statement from Williams said that emergency shut-down valves had been closed at the plant and the unit was isolated. |
"Our emergency-response crews are thoroughly trained to respond to these types of incidents and are diligently performing their work with their first priority being the safety and well-being of people in and around the area," the statement said. | "Our emergency-response crews are thoroughly trained to respond to these types of incidents and are diligently performing their work with their first priority being the safety and well-being of people in and around the area," the statement said. |
"We are in the process of accounting for all personnel." | |
Amy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the district office of the Homeland Security department said: "The fire department, the sheriff's office and hazmat (hazardous materials) team are responding to the explosion at the Williams Olefins plant." | Amy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the district office of the Homeland Security department said: "The fire department, the sheriff's office and hazmat (hazardous materials) team are responding to the explosion at the Williams Olefins plant." |
In April at least 15 people were killed and scores injured by an explosion at a fertiliser plant near Waco in the state of Texas. | In April at least 15 people were killed and scores injured by an explosion at a fertiliser plant near Waco in the state of Texas. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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