Six dead in Czech chemical plant explosion

London – A deadly blast at Unipetrol’s facility in Kralupy nad Vltavou, Czech Republic on 22 March, has reportedly killed six people, according to media reports.

“We have received information about six dead and several others seriously injured,” the BBC cited a regional fire service spokesman telling the local CTK news agency.

The cause of the explosion, which is thought to have taken place at 100 local time, is unknown.

Unipetrol has not confirmed the number of casualties yet.

The plant, according to the BBC report, manufactures toughened polystyrene as well as synthetic rubber for shoes and sports equipment.

In report 22 March, ICIS said Polish rubber-maker Synthos had denied earlier reports that the explosion had taken place in  parts of the site where its JV with Unipetrol is located.

“Synthos states that the event did not occur in the complex belonging to Synthos Kralupy at the industrial site in Kralupy nad Vltavou," the company said in a statement to ICIS.

The joint venture site , said ICIS, comprises a butadiene (BD) extraction unit with polybutadiene rubber (PBR) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) facilities

Unipetrol was planning a shutdown of the refinery in Kralupy nad Vltavou end of March to carry out a major turnaround.

“Regular maintenance of all equipment in the facility will start on 27 March, and during this time, the service will be completely shut down,” the company announced 19 March.

The refinery and petrochemical group Unipetrol is the only crude oil processor in the Czech Republic, producing fuels, polymers and fertilisers.