An explosion followed by a fire shook an industrial park in the western German city of Leverkusen Tuesday, sending a cloud of dark smoke towards the sky, leaving five missing and several wounded yet.

Iran PressEurope: Plumes of black smoke extend across the sky following the explosion in Leverkusen as residents were advised to remain indoors and keep their windows and doors closed.

Several staff were injured, with at least two seriously injured, and five people were missing, Currenta, Operators of the chemical plant said, adding it was not yet clear what caused the explosion and the subsequent fire,DW reported. 

Germany's Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance classified the explosion as "an extreme threat''. 

Currenta said the explosion occurred at a tank farm that is part of its facility.

More than 30 companies operate at the Chempark site in Leverkusen, including Covestro, Bayer, Lanxess, and Arlanxeo.

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