FRANKFURT, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The facility of German chemical company BASF in Ludwigshafen, southwestern Germany, exploded around 11:30 a.m.local time on Monday, leaving several people injured, some still missing, according to both BASF and local police office.
The steam cracker of the plant and some other facilities had been turned off after the severe explosion, the company said in its latest statement via twitter.
As smoke from the plant went up into air, local police office asked residents nearby to avoid going out and to keep doors and windows closed.
In addition, auto drivers were asked to go around in order to keep away from the accident area.
Firefighters and rescuers have been on the scene, while the cause of the explosion remained under investigation.
