Several people are missing after an explosion Thursday in a chemical plant in Slovenia, while twenty workers were injured, two of them seriously, according to management and emergency services.
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The accident occurred early in the morning in the establishment of the Melamin group located in the center of the municipality of Kocejve (south-east), 60 km from the Slovenian capital Ljubljana.
“
A cistern exploded
” for an undetermined reason, explained the chief of the fire brigade Leon Behin, questioned on the spot by the media.
“
We haven't heard from several people
,” factory manager Srecko Stefanic said, adding that they were not employed by the factory.
It would be four service providers, according to the STA press agency and the 24ur website.
In addition, 20 workers were injured, including two suffering from serious burns who were evacuated by helicopter to the capital, according to a press release from the
Local authorities have asked residents within a radius of 500 meters around the plant not to leave their homes and to close their windows for fear of toxic fumes.
No air contamination has been reported so far.
“
The accident had no major negative impact on the environment
“, assured in the media the mayor of Kocevje, Vladimir Prebilic.
The main street was cut off to traffic due to the intervention of firefighters who indicated that they had succeeded in containing the fire.
Photos showed columns of black smoke billowing from the factory, which manufactures resins for the paper, construction, wood and paint sectors as well as decorative papers for the furniture industry, according to the site. company internet.
Founded in 1954, it employs nearly 200 employees.
