Germany: Chemical Explosion Releases Cloud of Gas

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Canoe

Monday, May 21, 2001

Chemical explosion releases cloud of gas

BERLIN (AP) -- An explosion and fire at a chemical plant released a cloud of gas in the western city of Ludwigshafen on Monday, injuring more than 100 people, police said.

The injured included 50 children from a nearby elementary school and kindergarten as well as 50 to 60 workers at the BASF plant. They were treated for skin, eye and breathing problems, but officials said none of the injuries was serious.

Residents in parts of the city were advised to keep doors and windows shut while the gas drifted overhead. The company, BASF, urged nearby residents to wash any toys and furniture that was outside at the time of the accident.

BASF spokeswoman Jacqueline Engesser said the gas was released during production of laundry starch. Contact with the gas, which includes irritants such as nitrogen oxide, could cause eye and skin irritation, she said.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), May 21, 2001

Answers

Nando Times

BERLIN (May 21, 2001 12:21 p.m. EDT) - An explosion and fire at a chemical plant released a cloud of dangerous gas in the western city of Ludwigshafen on Monday, and at least 93 people suffered respiratory problems, police said.

Among the injured were 50 children at a nearby school, 27 workers and 12 police officers. Although they complained of breathing problems, none of the injuries was considered serious, police said.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), May 21, 2001.


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