Five people are missing following an explosion at a German industrial park for chemical companies.

The blast in Leverkusen has been declared an “extreme threat” by authorities and left at least sixteen people injured.

The explosion happened at 9.40am local time (7.40am GMT) and caused a fire at a fuel depot at Chempark, an industrial park for chemical companies including Bayer and Lanxess.

Chempark operator Currenta said several staff were hurt, with at least two seriously injured and five missing.

It is not yet clear what caused the explosion, Currenta added.

Sirens and emergency alerts on the German civil protection agency’s mobile phone app warned citizens of “extreme danger”.

Police in nearby Cologne said they did not have any information about the cause or size of the explosion, but a large number of police, firefighters, helicopters and ambulances had been deployed to the scene.

Residents have been asked to remain inside their homes, keeping doors and windows closed.

Currenta said air conditioning systems should also be turned off while it measured the air around the site for possible toxic gas.

Motorways nearby have been closed with drivers told to take detours and avoid the area.

Daily Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger reported the explosion took place in the Buerrig neighbourhood at a rubbish incineration plant of the chemical park with the smoke cloud moving in a north-western direction toward the towns of Burscheid and Leichlingen.

Related posts:

Hong Kong media tycoon and democracy advocate denied bail Man in charge of justice in South Dakota charged with misdemeanour after fatal crash German tourists flock to Balearic Islands as Spain hopes to see summer boost in tourism Amid India’s corruption and profiteering are shining examples of courage and selflessness UNICEF warns of ‘serious consequences’ for children if UK cuts funding ‘My dreams have vanished’: UK puts visas on hold for Afghan students awarded scholarships to study in Britain ‘They are in grave danger’: Fears for influential women who ‘spearheaded change’ in Afghanistan In pictures: Chaos across Kabul as Taliban takes control of Afghan capital Hundreds evacuated as smoke is seen from Jerusalem after wildfires New York City crime boss among arrests over alleged construction union plot Kim Yong Ju, younger brother of North Korea’s founder, dies First foreign aid reaches Tonga as new photos show tsunami devastation