Mon, Apr 29th 2024
Basel’s prosecutor’s office launches a criminal investigation following a chemical spill at Cabb.
Following the chemical accident at the Cabb company in Schweizerhalle BL at the weekend, the public prosecutor’s office in Basel has opened criminal proceedings against an unknown perpetrator. This is not the first time that the chemical company concerned has been targeted by the judiciary.
A spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office told the Keystone-SDA news agency on Monday that investigations are ongoing into whether a criminal offence led to the substance leak. The police are currently investigating the cause of the substance leak in the Cabb production building.
Acetyl chloride escaped in a chemical accident on Saturday night. As a precautionary measure, the population from Pratteln to Basel was advised not to go outside. Windows and doors should remain closed and ventilation systems switched off.
The all-clear was given early on Saturday morning. Measurements had not indicated elevated levels at any time, it was said. According to the police, over 200 emergency personnel from various emergency services were deployed.
In recent years, the chemical company Cabb has regularly caused accidents, some of which have resulted in injuries and in one case even a fatality.
The last of these occurred after an accident in July 2014. An employee of the company was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by the Baselland Criminal Court in 2019. The convicted man’s superior was acquitted.
©Keystone/SDA
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