Toulouse blast spurs French parly probe into industrial risks

LONDON (CNI)--The fatal explosion at the Grande Paroisse fertiliser plant in Toulouse, southwest France, has prompted the French National Assembly (parliament) to order a formal inquiry into safety risks in major industries.

The Assembly confirmed on Thursday that it has unanimously agreed to adopt a resolution for a parliamentary inquiry commission. Timing, constitution and detailed terms of reference of the inquiry have yet to be decided.

It follows a resolution issued by the European Parliament on 3 October calling for drastic changes in the way the chemicals industry is regulated by national governments.

The French parliamentary inquiry decision has coincided with the announcement of a further fatality from the Toulouse blast. A spokesman from the regional prefecture of Haute Garonne, in which Toulouse is situated, confirmed today that a woman had died from her injuries, bringing the death toll to 30. Grande Paroisse, the fertiliser subsidiary of Franco-Belgian chemicals company Atofina, told CNI that the victim was not listed as an employee or sub-contractor at the site.

Several inquiries into the cause of the explosion, including those by the French government, Atofina and local authorities, are already well advanced.