A blast at the Marcoule nuclear plant in southern France this morning has reportedly killed one person, but initial indications are that no radiation is leaking. Officials worked for five hours this morning to determine the seriousness of the explosion at the facility, which was created in 1955 and works with recycled materials and waste, but does not include a reactor. Midi Libre, a local newspaper, reported that an oven exploded, leaving one dead and injuring four others, but that no evacuation orders were issued for towns nearby. Power company E.D.F., which owns the site, said “it is an industrial accident, not a nuclear one,” and that no workers were contaminated.
Explosion at Nuclear Plant in Southern France [AP]
Blast at French Nuclear Site Is Said to Kill 1 Person [NYT]
This post has been updated with additional information.
