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10 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 67/2001
A fertiliser plant in the French city of Toulouse exploded this morning. The toll is provisionally put at 15 dead and 200 injured, of whom about 80 are in a very serious condition.
The blast happened at about 10.15 local time at the AZF chemical plant, owned by TotalFinaElf. The factory made fertilisers.
There is still some confusion over whether a second explosion occurred at an adjacent plant which produces rocket fuel and explosives. French chemical unions understand that the victims of the disaster include two workers at the fuel plant. However, most reports suggest that there has been only one explosion so far - at the fertiliser factory.
The cause of the blast is unknown. There is so far no particular reason to suppose that it was other than accidental.
Workers at the AZF plant include members of the chemical unions Fedechimie CGT-FO and FCE-CFDT. Both unions are anxiously awaiting more news of the disaster. Communication by both landline and mobile phones between Toulouse and Paris is very difficult at present. As soon as the unions have further independent information, ICEM UPDATE will issue another report.
Both unions are affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions. In messages to FCE-CFDT General Secretary Jacques Kheliff and Fedechimie General Secretary Michel Decayeux, the ICEM's General Secretary Fred Higgs has expressed the international's shock and sorrow over the disaster. On behalf of ICEM-affiliated workers worldwide, Higgs pledged full support and solidarity to the French chemical workers.
A cloud containing toxic chemicals, including ammonia, is reported to be spreading across Toulouse. Both the mayor and French President Jacques Chirac have asked the people of the city to remain indoors. French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin is on his way to the scene of the disaster.
The blast happened at about 10.15 local time at the AZF chemical plant, owned by TotalFinaElf. The factory made fertilisers.
There is still some confusion over whether a second explosion occurred at an adjacent plant which produces rocket fuel and explosives. French chemical unions understand that the victims of the disaster include two workers at the fuel plant. However, most reports suggest that there has been only one explosion so far - at the fertiliser factory.
The cause of the blast is unknown. There is so far no particular reason to suppose that it was other than accidental.
Workers at the AZF plant include members of the chemical unions Fedechimie CGT-FO and FCE-CFDT. Both unions are anxiously awaiting more news of the disaster. Communication by both landline and mobile phones between Toulouse and Paris is very difficult at present. As soon as the unions have further independent information, ICEM UPDATE will issue another report.
Both unions are affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions. In messages to FCE-CFDT General Secretary Jacques Kheliff and Fedechimie General Secretary Michel Decayeux, the ICEM's General Secretary Fred Higgs has expressed the international's shock and sorrow over the disaster. On behalf of ICEM-affiliated workers worldwide, Higgs pledged full support and solidarity to the French chemical workers.
A cloud containing toxic chemicals, including ammonia, is reported to be spreading across Toulouse. Both the mayor and French President Jacques Chirac have asked the people of the city to remain indoors. French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin is on his way to the scene of the disaster.