At least one person reportedly died after a blast hit a chemical plant in Germany’s Leverkusen on 27 July. Two people have been seriously injured and five more have been reported missing, Currenta, the company which owns the business park, said.
"Several staffers were injured in the incident, at least two sustained grave injuries. They are receiving medical assistance. As of now, five staffers are considered missing," the company said in a statement.
The threat remains in Leverkusen after an explosion at a chemical plant, and the composition of emissions is still being determined, enterprise operator Chempark said.
"Solvents, chlorine-containing solvents were burning. There are no precise analyzes yet. That is why we have not cancelled the (threat) warning," Chempark’s spokesperson said.
The blast occurred on the plant belonging to the Currenta company in the morning. It is not yet known what caused the explosion. However, it was established that a cistern exploded at a waste treatment and storage centre.
Earlier in the day, officials at the Chempark industrial park confirmed the explosion took place at their site in Leverkusen.
Rheinische Post newspaper says the explosion occurred at around 9.30 a.m. Focus, an online media outlet, suggests the incident took place at the local Bayer plant. According to Chempark Leverkusen's official website, there are 200 companies operating at the site.
The fire brigade working at the site has reportedly instructed residents to keep windows and doors closed. People remaining outside were told to go inside their houses, broadcaster WDR reported.
The roads around the landfill have been closed, local media cited police sources as saying.