In a startling turn of events, a hydrogen tank explosion has occurred in the industrial zone of Lebring, Austria. This incident marks a significant safety concern in the rapidly evolving hydrogen sector.
A Hydrogen Shockwave Reverberates
Around 1:00 PM, the quiet of Lebring’s industrial region was shattered by a massive explosion originating from a hydrogen tank within a company’s premises. Initial reports from emergency services, including the Fire Department and Red Cross, revealed that a 39-year-old employee had to be evacuated from a nearby storage facility that was in close proximity to the exploded tank filled with several hundred liters of hydrogen. Fortunately, the individual sustained only minor injuries and was promptly transported to LKH Wagna for medical attention. He has since been discharged.
Although ten individuals were on-site at the time of the explosion, most were housed within the office building, as per police statements.
“The immediate perimeter around the company premises remains sealed overnight. For safety reasons, it is advised not to approach the vicinity of the company,” shared Steiermark Police via their Twitter handle.
Wider Impact and Emergency Response
Witnesses from the scene recounted a deep thud followed by an immense pressure wave that was discernible even kilometers away. The explosion’s force catapulted various debris into the air.
Joachim Schnabel, the Mayor of the neighboring town of Lang, relayed via social media about the audible and palpable impact of the shockwave.
The subsequent response was swift: the entire industrial zone was evacuated as a precautionary measure, with a 500-meter radius around the site being cordoned off. Additionally, the Pyhrn motorway (A9) between the exits Leibnitz and Wildon in Styria was temporarily shut down, leading to approximately eight kilometers of traffic jams in both directions. The airspace approaching Graz Airport was briefly restricted, although airport authorities confirmed that flight operations remained unaffected.
Mitigating Further Risks
While the immediate threat was neutralized, potential dangers still lurked. Experts were summoned to deliberate on safely emptying another hydrogen tank present on the premises without triggering any additional risks. This secondary tank was considerably larger, capable of holding several thousand liters and under much higher pressure. By midnight, the most imminent threats were neutralized, and by Wednesday morning, most operations had been concluded.
Investigations Underway
A multitude of agencies, including the Lebring and Lang fire departments, specialized hazardous material teams from the police, Steiermark’s chemical alarm service, labor inspectorate, and the Styria state criminal police department, converged on the scene. Collaborative investigations into the explosion’s cause will continue with experts from the Federal Criminal Police Office. However, definitive findings might take several days, as indicated by the police.
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