Belgium's federal police's spokesperson confirmed to Sputnik that "at least several people have been injured" after the explosion hit one of the facilities of the plant owned by the ArcelorMittal steel company. The spokesman provided no further details.
This confirmation comes after The Nieuwsblad.be media outlet reported that at least one person was killed and two more were "seriously" injured. According to the report, the blast wasn't followed by a fire.
Ambulances and firefighter brigades have arrived at the scene. The perimeter of the plant has reportedly been blocked.
The Ghent officials said that a crisis center has been established following the incident.
Ontploffing bij ArcelorMittal in Gent: één dode en twee zwaargewonden https://t.co/eznwDxTq9m #gva pic.twitter.com/VVUXSBgbwb
— Gazet van Antwerpen (@gva) 20 ноября 2017 г.
Founded in 1962 by Luxembourg-based ARBED company, the plant is considered to be the first maritime steel manufacturer in Belgium.
