Update October 26: Information on progress of investigation of fire at the North Harbor

The District Attorney of Frankenthal/Palatinate and the Police Headquarters of Rhineland Palatinate announced the following information on the progress of investigation of the fire at the North Harbor at BASF in Ludwigshafen on October 17.

Text of press release (translation: BASF)

(District Attorney of Frankenthal/Palatinate and Police Headquarters of Rhineland Palatinate)

'In the course of intensive investigations directly at the scene of the incident, it has been established that there was a cut made in a pipeline. This was apparently done with a cutting disc.

Maintenance work using an angel grinder was in progress on an adjacent pipeline. The cut pipeline was not part of this work. This pipeline contained flammable raffinate.

The investigation teams and experts are now concentrating on process of the maintenance work and the safety measures taken before maintenance started. The clarification of the connection between the cut and the explosion requires further extensive investigations.

In order to be able to secure the relevant sections of the pipeline, extensive preparatory measures must be taken, especially to ensure comprehensive safety.

The technical preparatory work, through which the pipes must be cleaned, among other things, are being carried out by BASF in close coordination with the regulatory authorities.'

BASF will continue to support the relevant authorities during the investigation of the course of the accident.

On Monday, October 17, at 11:30 a.m. there was an explosion at BASF in Ludwigshafen at the North Harbor during work on a pipeline, which resulted in fires. The pipelines that burned included ones with ethylene and propylene product. Two employees of the BASF fire department and a sailor of a tanker that was moored at the harbor died. Eight people were seriously injured, 22 others received light injuries.

Gate 15 is still closed. Trucks that arrive at the site should drive to the parking area of the sewage plant. There they will receive further instructions and will be forwarded to other gates for dispatch.