As NDR, Nordkurier and other media unanimously report, the Torgelow iron foundry has ceased operations for the time being after a serious work accident. Two men had died, another was seriously injured.
"We are shocked and stunned that this accident has occurred," said Torsten Tiefel, managing director of the foundry group. It is not yet clear how long production in Torgelow (district of Vorpommern-Greifswald) will be suspended. After the serious accident, the almost 300 employees were sent home, he said.
According to the police, a 60 to 80 ton mould made of hardened sand broke in a hall on the company's premises on Tuesday evening. Three workers were caught by the fragments. A 53-year-old was immediately pronounced dead by the arriving emergency doctor, a trapped 51-year-old could only be recovered dead from the debris hours later. In addition, a 35-year-old man suffered serious injuries.
The police were not able to give exact details on the cause of the accident. According to initial findings, the mould broke when it was about to be placed on trestles. Several workers saw the accident and tried to help - they were in shock, a union spokesperson told NDR.
Public prosecutor's office is looking into the course of the accident
The accident site has been cordoned off, specialists are to examine the accident site to find out whether, among other things, the prescribed material was used and specified distances to loads were kept. The public prosecutor's office has appointed an expert to assess these findings and find out the cause of the accident.
Our sympathy goes out to those affected and their families
About the Torgelow iron foundry
Torgelow belongs to the Silbitz Group together with three other foundries in Silbitz, Zeitz and Kosice (Slovakia).
The foundry has a 250-year tradition and mainly produces components weighing several tons for wind turbines. Castings for large diesel engines, machine, container and plant construction also come from Torgelow.
