Czech plant explosions injure 19

A series of explosions occurred in the production area of the Czech Policske Strojirny machinery plant on Thursday morning, injuring 19 people, three of them severely, said police spokeswoman Hana Kaizarova.

The plant is located in Boriny, a small town with about 8,700 residents. The series of explosions occurred in one of the halls in the plant.

Police sealed off a 1,300-metre area around the plant and evacuated people from nearby houses as there was still the danger of a blast, said Kaizarova.

Czech regional emergency service Pavel Svoboda said the firefighters could not intervene inside because there were pressure vessels and explosions still occurring in the hall.

Svoboda said that of the 19 injured, two were firefighters. Three sustained life-threatening burns to the body and face. Three helicopters transported the most serious cases to burn centers in Prague and Brno.

Policske Strojirny said the incident had occurred at the explosives press. Company director Petr Nemec said subsequent fire of the hall caused further blasts.

Regional Governor Martin Netolicky said police and firefighters would be watching the plant in the coming days as there was still danger of more blasts.

Policske Strojirny was originally an arms maker, but it currently manufactures mainly pneumatic products.

In September 2015, 320 tonnes of gun powder exploded in the plant. Two people suffered burns in that incident. Endit