Total Petrochemicals France under investigation for manslaughter

METZ, France — Total Petrochemicals France is under investigation for alleged manslaughter and intentional injury in relation to a July 2009 explosion that killed two people at the Carling petrochemical plant in eastern France, Reuters reported.

The blast occurred when workers were attempting to restart a steam cracker, a furnace that processes naphtha for making plastics, the article stated.

"This involvement in the investigation will allow Total Petrochemicals France to put forward its analysis of the causes of the accident,” a Total spokeswoman said.