Several explosions took place this Wednesday, August 3 in a blowing snow in Bergerac, Dordogne, classified Seveso «high threshold», causing one serious injury and seven injuries in «relative emergency», according to the town hall and the prefecture. The explosion, whose origin is undetermined, took place in a building of the Manuco company, which produces nitrocellulose for ammunition on a site classified Seveso «high threshold» for fire and toxic risk.
According to the sub-prefect Jean-Charles Jobard, the explosion took place in a building which contained «less than two tons of nitrocellulose». Forty people were present at the scene. According to the prefecture, the fire is now «limited» and is no longer progressing.
A security perimeter has been established around the site. Five ambulances arrived on the spot, two helicopters and about sixty firefighters.
The white plan was launched at Bergerac hospital. The Manuco company was acquired in 2021 by Eurenco, the European leader in the field of powders and explosives according to their website.