Thick columns of black smoke were visible for several kilometers around, Tuesday, July 27, in Leverkusen, western Germany. An explosion of unknown origin located on a site grouping together chemical companies was indeed reported at around 9.40 am by local authorities and site officials.
According to a press release published by Chempark Leverkusen, chemical company park, several employees were injured, including “At least two of them seriously”, and receive care. Five employees are also missing.
“For a cause hitherto unknown, an explosion occurred in the Chempark Leverkusen”, reported the park on his Twitter account. “Residents are requested to go to closed rooms and keep doors and windows closed”, is it also recommended in this message, where it is specified that an intervention of the firefighters was in progress.
Event classified as “extreme danger”
The event was classified as “extreme danger” by the national disaster alert application Nina. According to several media, the explosion occurred at a waste treatment site. Cologne police mentioned on Twitter “Significant damage” and announced that several sections of the highway had been closed.
More than 30 companies operate at the Chempark site, including the Covestro, Bayer and Lanxess groups.