Explosion and Fire at Iwakuni-Ohtake Works (#2)
April 23, 2012
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Toshikazu Tanaka, President & CEO) with its Head
Office in Tokyo, Japan announced that at 2:15 am on April 22nd an explosion and fire occurred at production facilities for resorcinol (an adhesive agent for wood and tires) at its Iwakuni-Ohtake Works.
As a result of this accident, one person died and several others were injured. Mitsui Chemicals extends heartfelt sympathy and sincerest apologies to all persons and families affected by the accident and to all our stakeholders.
Information update (April 23, 15:00): (changes are in bold print)
1. Address and facilities involved in the accident:
Mitsui Chemicals Iwakuni-Ohtake Works Resorcinol Plant
1-2, Waki 6-chome, Waki-cho, Kuga-gun, Yamaguchi 740-0061
2. Time and date
2:15 am April 22, 2012
3. Timeline
| April 22 | 2:15 | Explosion at resorcinol plant Fire spreads to cymene plant and utility piping rack |
| 8:05 | Explosion at resorcinol plant tank | |
| 17:15 | Fire undercontrol at all plants | |
| April 23 | 14:31 | Fire extinguished at all plants |
4. Casualties/Injured
1 dead, 21 injured (details as follows)
| Community residents: | 10 injured |
| JX Nippon Oil & Energy (adjacent refinery) cooperating company employees: | 2 injured |
| Mitsui Chemicals employees: | 1 dead, 7 injured (2 seriously) |
| Cooperating company employees: | 2 injured |
5. Damage to buildings/homes
| Community buildings/homes: | 473 (mainly damage to windows/glass) |
| Works buildings: | 18 plants and extensive damage from blast to windows and slate roofing and sidings |
6. Other effects on community
There is no report of leakage of hazardous substances or materials at this time.
Premises warehouses store catalyst waste which includes radioactive material. This material is stored in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Storage facilities are over 500 meters from the affected area and there has been no report of changes in either containers or radiation measurements as compared with those prior to the accident.
7. Effect on operations
Operations at all plants within the Iwakuni-Ohtake Works are suspended at this time.
8. Effect on product supply
Unknown at this time.
9. Causes
Causes of the accident are under investigation by authorities. Mitsui Chemicals will fully cooperate with authorities in the investigation.
Following the accident, the company formed task forces to respond to community resident concerns and implement appropriate safety measures.
The cause of the explosion and preventive measures will be announced as soon as such information becomes available.
