Leverkusen: After the explosion - the police are investigating the scene of the accident

Enlarge image

Chempark in Leverkusen: emergency services at the scene of the accident

Photo: SASCHA STEINBACH / EPA

Investigators from the Cologne police inspect the scene of the accident after the devastating explosion with two dead on the premises of a chemical company in Leverkusen.

The colleagues are probably on site all day, said a police spokesman in the morning.

It is a "puzzle work" and unlikely that the cause of the accident will be found out immediately.

At least two people were killed in the explosion on Tuesday morning.

According to the Chempark operating company Currenta, 31 people were injured.

Five people are still missing.

The hope of finding survivors is minimal.

The police will be on site with two teams, said the spokesman.

A team is ready to document and, together with the fire brigade, possibly to rescue corpses.

The inspection takes place with representatives from the environmental authorities, experts, the company and the State Criminal Police Office.

The police also want to use drones in the investigation.

According to the police, it is questionable whether the investigators can commit all areas.

Buildings are in danger of collapsing, other areas are contaminated.

The public prosecutor's office in Cologne is investigating suspected negligent homicide and negligent causing of an explosive against unknown persons.

The North Rhine-Westphalian State Environment Agency (LANUV) is now working on an analysis of the substances that were carried into the surrounding residential areas with the cloud of smoke after the explosion.

"So far there are no results from these investigations," said the environmental agency on Wednesday evening.

Results are not expected until the end of the week.

In an initial assessment, the office assumed that it could have been "dioxin, PCB and furan compounds".

Basically it is the case that dioxins are produced in more or less high concentrations in every fire incident.

How much the existing residues are contaminated with these substances will only be shown after the extensive evaluation.

After the fire, soot particles fell in Leverkusen.

The city recommended its residents, pending final clarification, among other things, not to eat any fruit or vegetables from the garden on which particles had deposited.

The soot should also not be carried into the apartments.

If you urgently need to work in the garden, you should wear gloves as a precaution.

wit / dpa