An explosion occurred inside a nuclear research centre at 5:45 pm, in the side gallery of a former experimental reactor that had been shut down for 10 years and was undergoing dismantling. The shockwave caused a 300-m² concrete slab to fall, devastating the nearby circular gallery. The body of a reactor staff member was found underneath the slab around 10:30 pm; four other individuals sustained multiple fractures and required hospitalisation. The explosion was caused by a pressure surge in a tank following the introduction of an alcohol intended to destroy 100 kg of sodium for its cleaning. No contamination was detected either on those injured or within the environment. The (alcohol-related) fire was quickly extinguished by the centre’s emergency response team.

Expert appointed to investigate into the accident point a series of incapacities of variable gravity touching the supervision of the operation and the conditions of safety surrounding the installation.

In 2005, the judicial inquiry concludes that no pursuit could be engaged against whoever, natural or legal entity. November 12th, 2009, plaintiffs send back the affair in front of the Court of Appeal.