UPDATE 3 - 2 dead, several missing after blast at German chemical plant

ADDS DEATH TOLL, NUMBER OF INJURED, MISSING

By Cuneyt Karadag

BERLIN (AA) – At least two people have been killed and 31 others injured following a huge blast Tuesday at a chemical plant in the western German city of Leverkusen, while five people are still missing.

Among the missing is reportedly a Turkish man who worked at the facility.

The explosion at Chempark, one of the largest industrial parks in the country for chemical companies, sent massive plumes of dark smoke into the air.

Authorities advised residents of several districts to stay indoors and keep windows shut over fears of poisonous fumes.

City officials also decided to close playgrounds and advised people not to consume fruits and vegetables from their gardens due to ongoing tests of air quality.

The cause of the explosion was not immediately clear.