In 2016, a subcontractor at BASF's site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, caused a gas explosion during welding work. The court has now ruled: 1 year on parole.

While welding a pipe a 63 year old subcontractor accidentially cut into the wrong pipe. The resulting fire spread through the pipe systems and eventually led to a gas explosion.
5 people died and another 44 were injured. Among the dead were 4 firefighters.

The court questioned 28 witnesses and several experts before passing judgement. During the trial BASF was mentioned as co-responsible but the chemical company will not be prosecuted.
According to the public prosecutor's office, the explosion caused damages estimated at 500 million euros.