topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2281.62 -1.00
DAX 6741.58 -0.37
IBEX 30 8783.6 -0.88
CAC 40 3390.12 -1.10
FTSE 100 5882.31 -0.32
AEX 324.37 -0.60
DJIA 12862.23 1.23
Nasdaq 2905.66 1.61
FTSE MIB 16292.96 -0.89
TSX Composite 12577.28 0.19
ASX 4364.6 1.03
Hang seng 20709.94 -0.23
Straits Times 2940.1 0.76
ISEQ 20 506.43 -0.10
You are here: Home News French News Total petrochemicals plant blast kills two in France

French News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


16/07/2009Total petrochemicals plant blast kills two in France

A blast at a Total petrochemicals plant in eastern France killed two people, injured six and may have left several others buried under rubble.

Carling – A blast at a Total petrochemicals plant in eastern France killed two people, injured six and may have left several others buried under rubble on Wednesday, officials and the firm said.

"Several people are believed to still be buried in the debris," a local official said, while the oil giant said that there was no risk of pollution after the blast at the plant in Carling near the German border.

A score of fire engines and 50 firefighters were sent to the plant after the blast in a steam-cracking furnace which damaged equipment but did not cause a fire, officials said.

"The accident happened during operations to restart a steam cracker following a stoppage linked to recent bad weather," Total said in a statement. "During these operations, a stream production unit exploded for an unknown reason."

Steam crackers are machines that convert oil destillates into basic petrochemicals.

Total's statement did not mention anyone being buried under rubble.

Industry Minister Christian Estrosi and junior Environment Minister Chantal Jouanno were due to visit the scene of the explosion later Wednesday, their offices said.

In 2001, 31 people died and 30,000 homes were devastated in an explosion at a warehouse at the AZF chemical fertiliser plant owned by a Total subsidiary near the southwestern French city Toulouse.

The Carling plant produces a range of petrochemicals including ethylene, propylene, methane and styrene, and plastic consumer products such polyethylene and polystyrene, according to Total.

The products are produced by the process of steam cracking, whereby petroleum and either gas oil or naphtha are mixed in a cracking oven with superheated steam at 800 degrees Celsius (1,470 Fahrenheit), the company said.

AFP / Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Personal Finance in France

In Need of An Auto Loan

Sport in France

Open House at RITUEL PARIS - FREE CLASSES ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5TH

Community Noticeboard France

Republicans Abroad Europe

Immigration and Legal Problems

Doing PACS with my lesbian partner in France

Healthcare in France

U.S. federal employee health insurance coverage abroad

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Management culture in France

Management culture in France

This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes information on business hierarchy, negotiations, and etiquette.

American associations and clubs in Paris

American associations and clubs in Paris

A listing of organizations in the Paris area that cater primarily to Americans living in France. Updated April 2011.

British associations and clubs in Paris

British associations and clubs in Paris

Our handy guide to the British community in Paris, from cricket clubs to Scottish country dancing lessons to where to find a jar of Marmite.

Anglophone services in France

Anglophone services in France

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in France, from how to open a bank account to Islamic banking and investments.