德国巴斯夫工厂爆炸 数人受伤和失踪 Germany explosion: Several missing and injured after huge blast at world's la

（联合早报网讯）德国化工巨头巴斯夫（BASF）位于路德维希港（Ludwigshafen）的工厂当地时间17日11时30分左右（新加坡时间17日下午5时30分）发生爆炸，造成数人受伤，一些人失踪。

法新社报道，事发原因仍在调查中。该公司还呼吁当地居民留在室内，并把门窗关上。

路德维希港位于法兰克福西南部约80公里，巴斯夫公司总部也设在当地。

Several people are missing after a huge explosion at a chemical factory in Germany.

Footage showed flames rising hundreds of feet into the air from BASF's headquarters in Ludwigshafen on Monday.

The company said that work on a pipeline was believed to be the cause of the blast at around 11.30am local time (10.30am BST).

"Work on a pipeline led to an explosion with secondary fires," a spokesperson for BASF said.

"Several people were injured. Several people are still missing."

The cause of the blast was under investigation as emergency services fought the flames, with German authorities informed.
 

Residents in the western cities of Ludwigshafen and neighbouring Mannheim were asked to remain inside and keep their doors and windows closed as black smoke spread from the blaze.

The complex is the headquarters of BASF, the largest chemical producer, which employs 33,000 people at its factory in Ludwigshafen alone.

The company produces a wide range of industrial products, including solvents, glues, petrochemicals, plastics and fertiliser.

Firefighters try to extinguish fire at the factory of chemicals giant BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany where several people had been injured following an explosion, October 17, 2016. (Reuters)

It has set up emergency phonelines for anyone concerned about the explosion, who were being asked to call 0800 5050 500.