Explosion rocks German chemicals site; five people missing

Explosion at a chemical complex in Leverkusen declared ‘extreme threat’ amid concern over possible toxic gas.

Five people are missing and several others have been injured after an explosion rocked an industrial park housing several chemical companies in Germany’s western city of Leverkusen. Tuesday’s incident sent plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and prompted authorities to ask nearby residents to remain in their homes amid warnings of an “extreme threat”. The explosion happened at 9:40am local time (07:40 GMT), causing a fire at a fuel depot at Chempark, an industrial park for chemicals companies including Bayer and Lanxess, operator Currenta said.