Image: DOKU-LOWER AUSTRIA (APA/DOKU-LOWER AUSTRIA)
According to the police, an injured person was taken to the university hospital in the state capital. Franz Resperger from the Lower Austria State Fire Brigade Command reported a “violent detonation”. Numerous helpers were alerted, but according to the spokesman, a fire did not develop. Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause has started.
According to Resperger, welding work had been carried out in the company during inspection activities. That was when the deflagration happened. The company concerned made a similar statement, speaking in a broadcast of “hot work in the course of a planned plant shutdown”: “According to our alarm plan, in addition to our company fire brigade, neighboring volunteer fire brigades were also alerted.”
An employee of an external company died in the deflagration, the plastics company said. According to Resperger, it is the man who operated the welding machine. According to the St. Pölten company, an employee of their own company was injured. It was said that there was never any danger to residents.
In general, the company concerned “deeply regrets” the incident, and it was “simply a bad scenario”. A commission of experts was set up to find the cause. “We will take all measures as soon as possible to prevent such incidents in the future.”
The official investigations were taken over by the State Criminal Police Office of Lower Austria. According to police spokesman Raimund Schwaigerlehner, experts from the Federal Criminal Police Office are also involved.
Source: Nachrichten
