BERLIN, July 27 (Xinhua) -- At least one person died, 16 were injured and four were still missing after an explosion on Tuesday at Chempark Leverkusen, an industrial park for chemical companies in Germany, said Currenta, the company that operates the park.
The "tremendous detonation" at a special waste incineration plant was noticeable throughout the city and beyond, Leverkusen's Mayor Uwe Richrath said at a press conference. "This is a tragic day for Leverkusen," he added.
The explosion was widely felt within a radius of 40 kilometers as a huge black cloud rose to the sky. The resulting fire was extinguished by midday on Tuesday. The German Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) issued an "extreme danger" warning.
"We are doing everything we can to control this situation as quickly as possible," said Lars Friedrich, manager of Chempark Leverkusen, at the press conference. The focus was on rescuing the missing persons, he stressed.
As the exact cause of the explosion and the composition of the organic solvent involved were still unclear, citizens were warned to keep doors and windows closed and watch for unusual precipitation.
Although air measurements by the local fire department showed no abnormalities, the warning level was maintained throughout the day. In addition, playgrounds in the proximity were closed and people were advised to refrain from eating home-grown fruit and vegetables. Enditem