News / avonmouth

Four people killed in Avonmouth explosion

By Martin Booth  Thursday Dec 3, 2020

Three Wessex Water employees and one contractor have died following Thursday morning’s explosion in Avonmouth.

Another person involved in the explosion in a chemical tank off Kings Weston Lane has non life-threatening injuries

The explosion happened at Wessex Water’s sewage treatment plant close to the Avonmouth tip.

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Prime minister Boris Johnson said that he was “deeply saddened to learn that four people have lost their lives in the water works explosion in Avonmouth. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.”

Speaking at a press conference soon after 5pm, chief inspector Mark Runacres, from Avon and Somerset Police called the blast “a tragic incident”.

Bristol mayor, Marvin Rees, said that “the thoughts of our city” are with the families of those who have lost their lives “at this heart-breaking time”.

He said: “This has already been such a challenging year, and this news of further loss of life is another terrible blow. As a city we will mourn for them.”

Main photo and video: Ellie Pipe

Read more: ‘Multiple casualties’ after explosion in Avonmouth

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