The Oppau explosion occurred on September 21, 1921, when approximately 4,500 tonnes of a mixture of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored in a tower silo exploded at a BASF plant in Oppau, now part of Ludwigshafen, Germany, killing at least 560 people and injuring about 2,000 more.
Why this event still matters
Historical incidents shape the rules that protect people today — building codes, evacuation policy, warning systems and inspection regimes almost always trace back to a specific disaster. Studying Oppau explosion alongside current events is how preparedness improves.
See what is happening right now on the live world incident map, browse every explosions we track on the Explosion tracker, or follow live incidents in Germany.