Sète, France – A recent explosion at a French oilseed plant in Sète near Montpellier resulted in serious injuries for one individual on April 10. The incident took place at a facility owned by Saipol, a subsidiary of the Avril group, situated on the southern coast of France.
According to Saipol, the explosion happened around 16:40 in the esterification unit while the plant was undergoing its annual maintenance shutdown. This led to a subsequent fire that emergency services managed to bring under control by approximately 18:10. Currently, investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, with Saipol cooperating closely with authorities to provide necessary information.
Among those impacted by the incident, one Saipol employee sustained severe injuries and was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Following the event, a dedicated psychological support unit was established for both employees and subcontractors to address any trauma experienced, with plans to keep it operational for as long as needed.
Saipol has expressed its intent to swiftly restore operations on-site, including the resumption of maintenance activities, in collaboration with relevant authorities. The biodiesel production workshop affected by the fire has been placed under an emergency order issued by the prefecture, as the company seeks to address the aftermath of the explosion.
Established in 1983, Saipol specializes in processing oilseeds such as rapeseed and sunflower into products for various uses, including consumption by both humans and animals. The plant plays a significant role in the region’s agricultural and industrial sectors, bringing attention to the importance of safety measures and accident prevention in such facilities.
As investigations unfold and the plant works towards recovery, the community awaits further updates on the incident and the measures being taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.