18 people, including seven firefighters, suffered injuries in an explosion at a BASF chemical plant located in Western Germany.
According to BASF, the explosion occurred in the southern wing of the factory and was extinguished by the plant’s fire brigade.
Some staff had minor injuries and were treated on-site.
Locals were told to keep windows closed due to slightly elevated hydrocarbon levels.
Later, BASF and the city of Ludwigshafen said there was no cause for concern.
The BASF plant in Ludwigshafen, reportedly the world’s largest integrated chemical complex, covers roughly ten square kilometers.
The company has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.
