According to the first elements collected, it is a maintenance operation “which would be at the origin of the accident”, specifies Eurenco in a press release.
The “high temperatures may have played a roleIn the explosion that hit the Manuco (Eurenco Group) site in Bergerac (Dordogne) on Wednesday, during a maintenance operation, injuring eight people, the group’s management said on Friday.
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According to the first elements collected, it is a maintenance operation “who was the cause of the accident“, specifies the group in a press release, but”the high temperatures and above all the very low humidity rate may also have played a role“. At the time of the accident, the site was shut down to carry out routine maintenance operations, scheduled twice a year, whichare subject to strict provisions before any work“, specifies the group which launched an internal investigation.
Investigation opened by the Bergerac prosecutor’s office
Wednesday, at 1:50 p.m., on this Seveso classified site “high threshold» producing nitrocellulose, an explosive substance, several explosions left eight injured, including one seriously. All are nowout of dangerand five have already been discharged from hospital, according to the company. The damaged building wassecured“, specifies the group according to which”there is no other damage inside the site and there was no impact on the environment or outside the site“.
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A survey forunintentional injuries in the course of workwas opened by the Bergerac public prosecutor’s office, entrusted to the Central Office for the fight against attacks on the environment and public health (Oclaesp). An administrative investigation is also being carried out by the Bureau of Investigation and Analysis of Accidental Risks, created in December 2020 after the Lubrizol accident in Rouen. According to Bergerac prosecutor Sylvie Guedes, the first on-site findings should be carried out during the next week, “we work on hazardous materials. No risk should be taken“.