Posted on 09/19/2004 8:13:01 AM PDT by knighthawk
PARIS (Reuters) - An explosion that ripped through a chemical factory in southwest France three years ago, killing 31 people and wounding more than 2,000 was an industrial accident, two judicial reports have been quoted as saying.
Experts had previously said the September 2001 blast at the AZF factory, a unit of oil giant Total, was most likely an accident, although a deliberate attack had not been entirely ruled out.
French newspaper Le Journal du dimanche quoted one report by judicial experts as saying there was no proof the explosion was a deliberate attack.
The second report concluded the explosion was caused by a chemical reaction between products stored in a hangar at the factory, the newspaper said.
Investigating magistrates must now decide whether to place Total under official investigation in relation to the explosion. The company, which has argued the blast was not caused by an accident, could be forced to pay hefty compensation if found responsible.
Several AZF employees, including the unit's former chief, Serge Biechelin, have already been placed under official investigation in relation to the blast.
Ping
Nothing to see here, move along.
interesting. If terrorist caused someone would have claimed responsibility. However, terrorists get many of their ideas from newspapers, TV and the movies.
CNS had better get rather,barnes and burkett on this story now.GOOD LUCK
Was this the explosion in Toulouse?
Horse manure. Should have referred to "rocket fuel factory". The attack crippled the capability to produce solid fuel rocket motors.
Ping.
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