Status: 07/27/2021 12:54 p.m.
Several people were injured, some are still missing: there was a serious explosion in Leverkusen’s Chempark that morning. Residents were asked to keep windows and doors closed.
In the Leverkusen Chemical Park, there was a serious explosion in the morning for reasons unknown until now. In the incident, several employees were injured, at least two of them seriously, said chemical park operator Currenta. Five employees are currently still missing.
The explosion and subsequent fire occurred in the tank farm of the disposal center in the Bürrig district. The fire brigade, rescue workers and air test vehicles are in action. The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance assigned the explosion to the “Extreme Danger” warning level. Residents were asked to go to closed rooms and to keep doors and windows closed. Sirens and warning apps were triggered to warn the population.
Several highways closed
Pictures showed a huge column of smoke over the area, which could be seen for miles. According to the WDR The explosion shook the entire city area and could also be heard in the more distant Bergisch Gladbach. The police blocked several highways near the chemical park.
In 2019 Bayer and Lanxess sold their shares in Currenta to an infrastructure investment company owned by the Australian bank Macquarie. The company operates the so-called Chempark with locations in Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen.