Five Romanians die in chemical plant blast in the Czech Republic

Five Romanian citizens have died in explosion at a chemical plant in the Czech Republic,  Romania’s Foreign Ministry (MAE) informed on Friday.

At least six lost their lives and others are injured in the blast occurred in Kralupy nad Vltavou, 30km north to Prague.

The explosion took place in a plant owned by Synthos company, specialized in synthetic rubber and polystyrene. The circumstances of the blast are still unclear, with the investigation under way.

“The explosion occurred in one of the plants of the refinery complex in Kralupy nad Vltavou. We have immediately started an investigation to establish all circumstances and causes,” said a police spokesperson, Marketa Johnova.

“The number of Romanian citizens who died in the tragic event has climbed to five,” MAE press statement informed on Friday. Initially, the ministry had announced that three Romanian nationals died in the blast, but later on two more victims of Romanian nationality had been confirmed.

The consular staff of the Romanian Embassy in Prague visited the hospitals  where the injured in the blast were admitted to find out if there are other Romanian nationals among them.

At the same time, the diplomatic mission has started procedures to notify the families of the five deceased Romanian citizens and to repatriate the bodies. The Foreign ministry conveyed its condolences to the grieving families.

The Romanian Embassy to the Czech Republic is monitoring the situation with priority, while staying in touch with the local authorities, being ready to provide consular assistance.