A phenomenon “flash” the light was seen just before a series of three explosions hit the Manuco (Eurenco Group) site in Bergerac (Dordogne) on Wednesday. “pipeline collection point”, leaving eight injured, the group’s leadership said Monday.
“The observed phenomenon is a kind of flash of light, which then caused the first explosion, followed by a fire and two other explosions.”, – summed up Eurenco CEO Thierry Francou, joined by AFP. Last Wednesday, on this Seveso classified site “high threshold” producing nitrocellulose, an explosive, these explosions caused eight injuries, one of them serious. Everyone is now “out of danger” and five have already been discharged from the hospital, the company said Friday.
In a new update on its internal investigation on Monday, management says that “Three projects were being implemented in the area of nitrocellulose processingat the time of the accident. “The first was for piping work on the tank, the second for routine filter maintenance, and the third for electrical maintenance.”Eurenko explained in a press release.
“The reasons for this reaction remain to be determined”
Agreed “First Testimonies”, “In the area of the pipeline assembly site, where an operation was underway to reconnect the new pipeline to existing installations.” “The reasons for this reaction remain to be determined” but this action would start “The first explosion on the north side of the building, followed by a fire and two other explosions.”Eurenko explained. On Friday, the group noted that it is servicing “It will be the cause of the accident.”arguing that “High temperature and especially very low humidity”had “Could also have played a role”.
At the time of the accident, the area was closed to carry out those operations. Internal investigation “Invites internal and external experts as well as an elected employee representative on the CSSCT (a special committee within the Social and Economic Commission to deal with health, safety and working conditions at Manuco).”, the management said. Two more procedures are carried out in parallel. One, a judicial one, has been opened by the Bergerac prosecutor’s office, while an administrative investigation is also being conducted by the Accidental Risk Investigation and Analysis Bureau, which was created after the December 2020 Lubrizol accident in Rouen.
Source: Le Figaro
