The Explosion of a Fireworks Storage Facility and its Causes

Abstract

On 13 may 2000 an explosion occurred in a fireworks storage and trading facility in Enschede, the Netherlands. Twenty-two people were killed and some 900 injured. The material damage was approximately 400 MEuro. Immediately after the accident an investigation was started into the causes of the accident. Special attention was given to the unexpected violence of the explosion. The investigative committee installed by the Government used results and advice of domestic and international institutes to obtain results. It appeared that the firm had a long history of violating permits, that the city had legalised these violations and that inspectorates and state institutions were not aware of the hazards thus created. Especially the importance of the correct classification of the fireworks and of the storage of the correct types and quantities went unnoticed. As a result prior to May 13 2000 most of the fireworks stored at the premises were more powerful than the labels indicated and in fact a significant part of the storage was mass-explosive contrary to the current permit.