One killed, six missing at BASF chemical plant blast
LUDWIGSHAFEN — One person was killed and at least six others were missing after an explosion on Monday at a chemical plant at BASF’s headquarters in western Germany, the firm said, advising local residents to stay indoors. The blast, which occurred around 11.30am and triggered a huge fire, happened during work on a pipeline that transports raw materials, the global chemicals giant said. BASF executive Uwe Liebelt confirmed one person had been killed. A police official at the same press conference spoke of "six seriously injured and an unknown number of light injuries". A large fire and a huge column of grey smoke could be seen rising from the site, a vast industrial complex with a harbour on the Rhine river. "We have not been able to establish any danger to the population," Liebelt added, after residents in Ludwigshafen and nearby Mannheim were told to remain inside and shut doors and windows. Local authorities had also asked nurseries and schools to keep children indoors, but no ev...
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