Mannheim Port

On 23 August 2022, hydrosulphite spontaneously ignited in a container in the Port of Mannheim on the Rhine (Germany), forming a toxic cloud which spread rapidly and rose to a height of 150 metres.

The container was carrying 200 barrels of this hazardous chemical that is used in the textile industry.

A 1.3 km safety zone was quickly set up around the container, and the local authorities urged residents to keep doors and windows closed. Road traffic was also brought to a complete standstill throughout the city of Mannheim and trains were diverted.

Sixteen police officers were slightly injured when attending the scene of the accident.

Firefighters from the BASF plant cooled the burning container throughout the night to control reactions taking place inside the container. The following morning, the water protection police reported that the situation was under control. Traffic restrictions were lifted and the safety zone around the accident location was reduced. The firefighters also carried out air quality monitoring at various locations around the city, to rule out any risk to human health for local inhabitants.

The investigation report, released six months after the accident, showed that one of the drums had been damaged, most likely when it was being loaded by a forklift truck. A leak of hydrosulphite occurred and the product self-ignited upon contact with oxygen in the air, releasing sulphur dioxide and other sulphur salts. The high temperature and humidity conditions in the container also promoted self-ignition of the drum.