Explosion at BASF Facility Injures 18 Workers

An explosion followed by a fire occurred on Monday at the primary facility of BASF, a leading German chemical corporation, resulting in injuries to 18 employees.

The incident took place around midday in the southern section of the extensive Ludwigshafen plant, igniting a blaze that has now been put out.

Eighteen workers sustained minor injuries in the event, they were being given precautionary medical care on site.

Earlier images captured a plume of smoke rising from the Ludwigshafen site, which spans 10 square kilometers and holds the title of the largest chemical complex globally.

Residents in the vicinity were initially advised to keep their doors and windows closed, but later in the day, local authorities declared the area safe.

Environmental monitoring detected “slightly elevated levels of hydrocarbons” nearby, BASF mentioned, assuring that there was no cause for concern.

Details regarding the impact on production were not disclosed. BASF also noted that the cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.

Image credit: swr.de