In a chemical plant, a bromine release occurred at 10:13 hrs during transfer operations because a pipe connection had not been closed. The watchman activated the emergency stop and the shut-off valve closed within approx. 3 s. The bromine was collected by bottom containment system. After 30-40 s the fire fighting team could stop the evaporation of the bromine by covering the bromine with a layer of water.

At 13:46, bromine that was still in the pipe section between the highest point of the pipe and the rail tanker leaked when the leak check pipe ruptured. The leak was sealed with a blind flange (seal plate). 5-10 l of bromine were released at that time. The released bromine was caught together with the water in the rail spill-containment system and in the containment system of the neighbouring hydrochloric acid tanks.

The remaining content of the inner pipe of the double wall pipe was transferred into the rail tanker, but 30 l of bromine were still in the double wall jacket made of black PE (polyethylene). The bromide overheated and expanded due to the sun shining on the black pipe, causing a third leak. In total, 200 kg of bromine were released. The material loss was estimated at 1 500 euros. A smell nuisance occurred and 27 persons suffered from inflammation of the eyes and the mucous membranes. The installation is definitively stopped.