Criminal intent suspected in two blasts at LyondellBasell facility in France

16-Jul-15

Two explosions, sparking huge fires, broke out at LyondellBasell petrochemical plant in southern France early Tuesday. No one has been reported to be injured in the explosions that happened in Berre-l'Etang near Marseille-Marignane airport. The company describes the "Berre petrochemical cluster" as "one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the south of France". Two tanks full of petrol and naphtha caught fire after the blasts and a thick cloud of smoke was visible several kilometres away. The fire in the first tank of petrol was extinguished fairly quickly, but fire fighters only managed to put out the second blaze by late morning using foam, local authorities said.Investigators believed the explosions were the result of "a malicious act." The probability that these two fires in tanks 500 metres (1,640 feet) apart could be accidental is very low. Criminal intent is suspected in two fires