Plant section: Ammonia Storage

Equipment affected: Ammonia Spherical Storage Tank

Operation Phase during Event: Maintenance / Testing the equipment (purging)

Medium / Stream: Nitrogen (assumption based on sources connected to the incident)

Hazard Type / Deviation: Equipment Failure

Failure Cause: Under Investigation

Failure Mode: Material Failure

Event Description: An investigation is underway after a fatal explosion in an ammonia tank at a fertilizer plant local sources confirmed on Thursday. The blast is believed to have happened during a trial operation at one of the plant’s ammonia tanks, said local media reports. While no official tally on the fatalities is available, many local and international media outlets reported that more than 12 people died during the incident. The state news agency said that 15 people in total were killed or injured. Five other workers were reportedly injured by the blast, two of whom are now said to be in critical condition. The injured are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

Causes: Under investigation

Information Sources: 
1. https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2019/03/21/10337372/workers-killed-in-gas-tank-explosion-at-el-nasrs-egypt-fertilizer-plant/
2. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/explosion-at-egypt-fertilizer-factory-kills-ten/1424809
3. https://www.powderbulksolids.com/news/12-Dead-After-Fertilizer-Plant-Explosion-in-Egypt-03-21-2019