N.V. regrets to announce two fatalities resulting from an accident this morning at the Svoboda coking plant of OKK, its wholly owned coke producer in Ostrava, Czech Republic, when an ammonium hydroxide tank exploded on the premises.
At the time of the accident, the tank containing a small amount of ammonium hydroxide had been taken out of service and employees of a specialised subcontractor to OKK were performing maintenance works on piping insulation. The exact causes of the accident are still unknown and are currently being investigated.
Michal Kuca, OKK's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, said: "We sincerely regret the loss of two lives and would like to express our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of both individuals."
"The water in the tank contained only a very small concentration of ammonia at a level of tenths of percent. The tank's explosion does not represent any environmental or health risks for people or businesses in the area surrounding the coking plant," added Mr. Kuca.
The incident did not affect coke production, and all coke batteries continue to be in full operation.