Six killed in explosion at Czech chemical plant

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At least six people were killed and two others were injured after an explosion rocked a chemical plant in Kralupy nad Vltavou, north of Prague on Thursday, according to regional fire spokeswoman Vladimira Kerekova.

Firefighters work at the scene of an explosion at a plant of Czech refinery and chemicals group Unipetrol in Kralupy nad Vltavou, Czech Republic, March 22, 2018. /VCG Photo‍

Six bodies were found at the scene, and one of the injured people suffered "devastating facial injuries," the other one suffered 10 percent burns, said emergency services spokeswoman Petra Effenbergerova.

Firefighters and police stand at the entrance of a chemical plant in the northern Czech town of Kralupy-nad-Vltavou after the explosion, March 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

The accident happened at around 10:00 a.m. local time (0900 GMT) at a plant of Czech refinery and chemicals group Unipetrol, and was at a storage tank, according to a fire department spokesperson.

March 22, 2018: Parts of a chemical plant in the northern Czech town of Kralupy-nad-Vltavou. /VCG Photo

The situation is now under control. There was no risk of additional explosions and no threat to the health of Kralupy-nad-Vltavou residents, the spokesperson added.

"We have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances and causes," police spokeswoman Marketa Johnova said.

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