It was barely 2 p.m. on Tuesday August 3 when an explosion broke the summer calm in the town of Bergerac in the Dordogne.
It was at the heart of the Manuco factory, which specializes in the manufacture of nitrocellulose, an essential element in the manufacture of powders and explosives, that the detonation sounded.
Several people were injured, according to the town hall which calls to avoid the sector.
A fire also broke out, near the powder magazine, boulevard Garraud.
Emergency services are on site.
Seveso site, high threshold
Installed since 2013, the plant is classified as a high-threshold Seveso site, i.e. a high level of vigilance applied to industrial sites at risk.
Seveso sites produce or store substances that can be dangerous for people and the environment and are subject to very strict regulations.