Two dead in the explosion at a Swiss group Givaudan factory in the United States

© 2024 AFP – An explosion in a dye factory of the Swiss group Givaudan in the United States left two dead and several injured, the flavor and perfume manufacturer announced on Wednesday.

The causes of the explosion, which occurred late Tuesday afternoon at a factory based in Louisville, Kentucky, are not yet known.

“We are in mourning with the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives or were injured during this very difficult period,” the Geneva group said in a press release.

“We are in the early stages of the investigation to determine the causes of this incident and are cooperating with first responders and support organizations,” said the Swiss group which manufactures perfumes and food flavorings.

Homes and buildings in the immediate vicinity of the factory have been damaged, but do not currently present any risks.

At a press conference, the city’s mayor, Craig Greenberg, called on people living near the site not to remove debris that may have landed in their gardens themselves because “they will help investigators to understand what happened.

“This is an incredibly sad and tragic incident,” he said Wednesday, explaining that the two people who lost their lives had gone to work on what was “an ordinary day to provide for the needs of their family, when the unthinkable happened.”

The first victim died of his injuries in hospital while the second was found in the rubble by firefighters.

The accident occurred in the factory of a food coloring manufacturer that Givaudan had bought at the end of 2021.

The Swiss group, whose turnover last year amounted to 6.9 billion Swiss francs (7.3 billion euros at current rates), is active in perfumes and scents for hygiene products and detergents as well as in flavorings for the food industry.

On the stock market, the stock closed down 1.54% at 3,834 Swiss francs while the SMI, the flagship index of the Swiss market, lost 0.07%.

Zurich, 13 nov 2024 (AFP)