Oilseed Processing Plant Explosion Kills Two Workers

Two workers are dead following an oil tank explosion and fire on Saturday at a Dieppe, France oilseed processing plant owned by Europe’s largest producer of biodiesel.

“The explosion took place at the extraction station where an emptying operation took place. It caused the death of two people and a slight injury. Seven other people, in shock, were taken care of by the relief workers,” said a statement issued on Feb. 17 by Saipol, the operator of the plant.

About 40 firefighters responded to the facility after an explosion was reported at about 10:00 GMT, a report by The Local – France said, noting that the blast happened in an oil tank.

An earlier version of the company’s press release said two technicians employed by a subcontractor were working at the extraction station when the explosion occurred. A total of 11 people were at the facility at the time of the blast. A perimeter was temporarily established around the plant and firefighters remained on scene for several hours combatting the fire.

The cause of the incident is under investigation, the company’s statement said.

Saipol, owned by French oils and proteins firm Avril Group, processes rapeseeds into crude vegetable oil and meals for animal feeds at the Dieppe plant.

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