Tunnel explosion caused by leaking gas

(JB) Two explosions in a power station tunnel were caused by a gas leak, an initial investigation has found.

The blasts occurred in tunnels at a construction site to expand the pumped storage power station in Vianden on Saturday afternoon.

Société Electrique de l'Our (SEO), which was installing a pumped storage power station at the site called the event a “regrettable incident”, saying early warning alarms ensured that all 26 employees were successfully evacuated.

SEO President Etienne Schneider: "Fortunately, no-one was injured in the accident. Two workers who went to medical control were treated as outpatients. They are safe and well. This is the most important thing."

The first explosion occurred at around 12.21pm on Sunday. It was followed by a second blast at 12.27pm. According to SEO, the explosions happened when three “leaking” gas bottles being used by subcontractors at the site, came into contact with a spark.

Firefighters from Vianden, Bettel, Weiler-Pütscheid, Hosingen and Bastendorf were at the scene, along with police from Diekirch and Vianden.

The fire was quickly brought under control by firefighters and was extinguished by 3.35pm.

On Sunday morning SEO chiefs met with suppliers, police officers and officials from the Inspection du Travail et des Mines to discuss the incident.

According to a press statement from SEO, initial investigations suggest that the explosions should not affect the development of the expansion of the pumped storage power station project.

The Vianden pumped storage power plant is being extended in partnership with RWE Power and Enovos, which have invested some 155 million euros.

By the autumn 2013, the site is expected to generate a further 200 megawatts of peak power for the country's northern network.