Mannheim (dpa / lsw) – Just under a week after the chemical accident in the port of Mannheim, it is still not entirely clear how it could have happened. The overseas container, from which toxic gases escaped last Tuesday, complied with the international regulations for the transport of the substances stored in it. A spokeswoman for the chemical company BASF, from which the container comes, said on Monday. The container destined for Turkey contains almost 200 barrels with the bleaching agent hydrosulfite for the textile industry.
17 people were injured in the gas leak. Hydrosulfite is harmless if handled with care. However, it is classified as dangerous goods because of the risk of self-ignition with release of sulfur dioxide and sulfur. According to current knowledge, such a self-ignition has probably expired. According to the BASF spokeswoman, refrigerated containers are not required for the transport of this substance.
According to the city of Mannheim, the situation is currently stable. The barrels would continue to be chilled until the chemical reaction within them stopped. It is not yet possible to say exactly when the barrels could be opened. The city spokeswoman said there should be more detailed information on this late Monday afternoon.
