A massive explosion at the Slovenian chemical plant Melamine in Kocevje (southern Slovenia) presumably killed five people on Thursday and two other people were critically injured. Slovenian media are reporting on the worst industrial fire in the country’s history
The explosion and subsequent major fire occurred Thursday morning when a highly explosive liquid was being transferred from the tanker to a cistern on the site. The exact cause was initially unclear, the company management assumed a human error.
“Little Chances of Survival”
Five people who were in close proximity to the blast were missing and most likely dead. The explosion was so violent that there was little chance of survival, factory director Srecko Stefanic said, according to the media. Six other people were injured, two of whom were treated for severe burns at the University Hospital in Ljubljana. Her condition is critical, it said.
The plant, which produces plastics, paints, varnishes and other chemical products, is located not far from the center of Kocevje. The blast reportedly shook glass in the small town and could be heard dozens of kilometers away. Since the beginning of this year, one-third of the chemical plant has been owned by the Austrian Panta Rheiberatungs- und Beteiligungs GmbH from Ravelsbach, which in turn belongs to a Slovenian company.
Kocevje is located in southern Slovenia:
Source: Nachrichten
