Investigators continued to search for clues Monday to the causes of the explosion that ripped through a chemical fertilizer plant in this southwestern French city as accusations mounted that the tragedy could have been avoided.
Authorities said the death toll in Friday's blast at the AZF plant stood at 29 with 782 still hospitalized on Monday, 34 in intensive care.
They said the search for victims was continuing although rescuers believed no one remained trapped under the debris.
The blast, which was as strong as an earthquake measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, levelled the plant and caused extensive damage to nearby businesses, homes and schools.
Authorities said an inquiry was underway to determine the cause of the explosion which they believe was accidental.
Several reports said employees had made a mistake in mixing chemicals and others attributed the blast to a leak in a silo where ammonium nitrate was stocked.
However local residents, politicians and scientists have said it was implausible the blast was an accident.
TotalFinaElf, the oil giant that owns the plant, has also come under attack for allegedly failing to impose adequate security measures at the site.
"This tragedy was waiting to happen," Green deputy Alain Lipietz said. "This dramatic accident was the result of successive irresponsible local governments."
A local press report on Monday said 300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate used to make fertilizer at the plant had been stocked in poor conditions.
TotalFinaElf declined to comment on security measures at the plant saying that a statement would be issued later Monday -- TOULOUSE, France (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
