Explosion at “Olainfarm” pharmaceutical plant; two injured

  • 2013-04-17

RIGA - An explosion has taken place at the “Olainfarm” pharmaceutical plant in Olaine (central Latvia) this morning, the company has informed.

The explosion took place at around 9:20 a.m., and was caused by a toluene vapor leak.

Two persons were injured in the explosion, and have been taken to hospital.

Several windows were knocked out, and work has halted in two production sites. However, work continues as usual in the rest of the plant.

“Olainfarm” emphasizes that the explosion has caused no harm or pollution to the surrounding environment.

An internal investigation has been started to find out the circumstances of the explosion.

State Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman Viktorija Sembele confirmed to LETA that a fire had not broken out at the plant when firefighters arrived at the scene, but that several windows were broken from the explosion. She added that there is no threat of collapse of the building where the explosion took place.

Sembele said that male and female employees at the company were injured in the explosion.

The company is doing everything it can so that the injured employees and their families receive all the necessary support.