An explosion in Chempark Leverkusen shook the city on Tuesday morning. A large cloud of smoke can be seen. The police also block motorways for security reasons.
- A severe explosion shook Leverkusen (North Rhine-Westphalia) on Tuesday morning.
- According to the operator, the tank farm of a waste incineration plant in the Bürrig district of Leverkusen exploded around 9:40 a.m. and caught fire.
- There are several injured, but also missing. Residents should keep windows and doors closed.
Update from July 27, 11:54 a.m.: Several employees were injured in the explosion, two of them seriously, reports the Currenta company. “You are currently receiving medical treatment,” says the press release. Five employees are currently missing.
The operator Currenta in Chempark Leverkusen has set up a hotline for the population that can be reached at the following telephone number: Leverkusen 0214-2605 99333.
How the severe explosion in the hazardous waste incineration plant came about is still unclear at first. Currenta describes the incident in a nutshell:
“For a previously unknown cause, there was an explosion at Chempark Leverkusen at around 9:40 am, followed by fire in the tank farm of the Bürrig disposal center.”
Update from July 27, 11.48 a.m .: The Cologne police asks to bypass the area extensively. “We need all escape routes on site. Keep the road free for the emergency services, ”tweeted the police.
After the explosion in Leverkusen – the situation according to the police is confusing
Update from July 27, 11:31 a.m .: After the explosion in Leverkusen-Wiesdorf, the situation is still confusing, according to the police. “We are on site with many police officers and clarify the situation. There are several injured, “said the police via Twitter.
As the Leverkusener Anzeiger reports, there was an explosion in a hazardous waste incineration plant with a lot of smoke. Thick clouds of smoke rise over the Chempark, as can be seen in the photos. Authorities warn of extreme danger (see below). Doors and windows should remain closed. Air test vehicles are in use.
After explosion in hazardous waste company – highways closed
“Please make sure to set up emergency funds,” tweeted the Cologne fire brigade. All motorways and the Westring are closed.
- A1 between Cologne-Niehl and Kreuz Leverkusen.
- A3 between Kreuz Leverkusen and Dreieck Langenfeld.
- A59 between Kreuz Monheim-Süd and Kreiz Leverkusen-West.
Violent explosion: huge column of smoke over Chempark in Leverkusen – company confirms incident
First report from July 27, 2021
Leverkusen – Dark clouds of smoke can be seen over the city of Leverkusen (North Rhine-Westphalia). WDR reports that there was an explosion in a tank farm at a disposal center operated by the Currenta company. Residents should keep windows and doors closed. Anyone in the area should go into a building. The warning app Nina and Katwarn have triggered. The police are blocking roads in the area. Also the A1 and A59 motorways.
The Currenta company confirmed the explosion in Chempark Leverkusen. The cause of the detonation is so far unknown, said Chempark via Twitter. And further: “Plant fire brigade and air test vehicle in action. Residents please go to closed rooms and keep doors and windows closed. “
Explosion in Leverkusen: column of smoke over Bayer plant – A1 motorway – full closure
The A1 autobahn is completely closed in both directions – between the Leverkusen junction and Cologne-Nord, the police said via Twitter. The full closure therefore also affects the Leverkusen West motorway junction.
“Current deployment of the police! Major damage in the Leverkusen area, ”tweeted the police.
Warning app and Katwarn triggered after the explosion in Leverkusen
After the huge explosion in Leverkusen, the warning app triggered Nina. Katwarn also warns the population under the “special case” category:
“The fire department of the city of Leverkusen reports: Close doors and windows, go into a building, only call 112 if you can provide information about what is happening. In particular, Bürrig, Rheindorf, Opladen are affected,” says Katwarn.
At the same time, residents in the affected region should obtain further information from the media.
It also says: “Avoid the affected area widely. Only dial emergency numbers 110 (police) and 112 (fire brigade) in emergencies. “
After the explosion in Leverkusen-Bürrig: “Warning level: Extreme danger”
After the explosion, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance issued a current warning on Tuesday (July 27th) at 10:28 am: “Warning level: Extreme danger”. The affected areas in Leverkusen are marked in red on a map. In particular, Bürrig, Rheindorf, Opladen are affected.
After the explosion in Bürrig Leverkusen “residents should close doors and windows”
“Close doors and windows, go into a building, only call 112 if you can provide information about what is happening,” read the warning message. How many people are affected in the area is not yet known.
After an explosion in the adjacent Chempark Leverkusen in the Wiesdorf district, the fire brigade, rescue workers and police are currently on a large scale. “The extent and cause of the damage are currently not known,” said the police in a message. (ml)
Header list image: © Oliver Berg
