The emergency vehicles of the fire brigade and rescue services were parked not far from the passage leading to the chemical park, where heavy smoke was rising. The police explained that after the explosion, the fire brigade, rescue team and police are currently conducting large-scale operations.
Oliver Berg/Photo Union via Getty Images
- After the massive explosion in Leverkusen, Germany, local residents have been warned.
- The explosion occurred at an industrial site.
- There are no reports of injuries.
On Tuesday, a huge explosion occurred in a chemical park in the western German city of Leverkusen. A puff of black smoke floated into the air. Officials urged residents to hide indoors and close windows.
The explosion at the Chempark industrial site triggered an “extreme danger” alert from the German NINA warning app, urging residents to close all doors and windows and keep emergency phone numbers as open as possible.
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Police in the nearby city of Cologne said on Twitter that they were closing several highways in the Leverkusen area due to “severe damage.”
No injuries were reported immediately.
Residents said that the explosion sounded everywhere, and some said that their windows were rattled by the force of the explosion.
Many people shared on social media pictures of billowing smoke from the Burrig district of Leverkusen, which is home to many well-known companies such as Bayer, Evonik Industries, and LANXESS.
Local media reported that the explosion appeared to originate from a hazardous waste incineration plant on site.
“Due to unknown reasons, there was an explosion in Chempark Leverkusen,” Chempark said on its Twitter, adding that firefighters were at the scene.
“Residents are required to move into closed rooms and close doors and windows.”
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