Justice ministry officials have seized part of a pipeline which leaked naphtha on Saturday, forcing 150 people out of their homes for a few hours. The defective part of the pipe at the Sabic petrochemical plant in Geleen was removed on Sunday and taken away for investigation in connection with a ‘criminal inquiry,’ into the leak, a justice spokesman told ANP.

Both Sabic and fire officers suspect the leak could be connected to the cutting down of trees next to the pipeline on Friday. Locals complained of a strong smell coming from the plant on Saturday evening. The pipeline transports naphtha – a highly-inflammable product extracted from crude oil – between Rotterdam port and the Sabic petrochemical works in Geelen.