Residents in the western German city have been asked to stay inside and keep their windows and doors closed. Operators of the chemical plant said it wasn't clear what caused the explosion.

Smoke billows following an explosion in Wiesdorf, Leverkusen, Germany July 27, 2021.

Blast at chemical site shakes Leverkusen

There has been an estimated 17,800 active cases in the country as of Friday, according to official figures

In the first week of June, the new variant accounted for nearly 8% of new cases in Germany, but its share has more than doubled each week, rising to 60% of cases by the end of last month

Delta variant spreading fast in Germany, says disease control agency

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) health agency on Thursday recorded 1,890 new infections over the past 24 hours and an incidence rate of 12.2 new cases per 100,000 people over the past seven days

Merkel: every vaccination is a small step towards a return to normality

Merkel worried by Germany's 'exponential' virus growth

Criminal police chief Stefan Heinz added that he expected many bodies were in places the police had not yet reached or where flood waters had still not receded from

Rubble and debris are seen in an area affected by floods caused by heavy rainfalls in Schuld, Germany, July 19, 2021.

Some 170 still missing around Koblenz, victim numbers set to rise

Chancellor Angela Merkel scheduled to visit flood-hit region of Rhineland-Palatinate on Sunday

A view flood damaged area in Altenahr, Germany after a severe rainstorm and flash floods hit western states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, on July 17, 2021.

Floods in Germany leave more than 150 dead

Chancellor has called the flooding a national "tragedy" and promised support from the federal government to help the affected areas rebuild and recover

Merkel to visit flood-ravaged western Germany on Sunday

Belgium to hold ‘day of national mourning’ on Tuesday as dozens of people die due to floods

A view of devastated area after a severe rainstorm and flash floods hit western states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, on July 16, 2021, in Ahrweiler and Sinzig districts of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Death toll from floods in Germany rises to 133

Nearly 1,300 people still missing in Ahrweiler district, according to local officials

Germany's worst floods in more than 200 years have swept away homes, caused widespread devastation in various towns and villages in the western regions

Death toll from floods in Germany rises to 103

Crucial to continue political dialogue between Kabul, Taliban, says German Foreign Ministry

A total of 59 German soldiers died in Afghanistan, including 35 in combat operations

Germany reaffirms support for Afghan government amid Taliban advances

Germany sped up its drive over the summer and had by Tuesday fully vaccinated 42.6 percent of adults, with 58.5 percent vaccinated at least once

Merkel: We are at the beginning of the phase in which we are still promoting (vaccination), where we have more vaccines than we have people who want to be vaccinated

Merkel says jabs in Germany will remain voluntary

"Dear guests" or a simple "good morning/good evening" would be used

The new policy, which will be phased in gradually, applies to German flag carrier Lufthansa as well as the group's Swiss, Austrian, Brussels and Eurowings airlines

Germany's Lufthansa opts for gender-neutral plane greeting

Named as Kosovan Blinor S. and German Drilon G., the pair are accused of meeting the attacker through the radical Islamist scene and knowing about the planned rampage but failing to report it

It was the first major attack in Austria in decades and the first blamed on a jihadist

Two under investigation in Germany over 2020 Vienna attack

Venues will be allowed to welcome up to 25,000 spectators from next month

Union Berlin fans had to keep their distance when they returned to the stadium in May

German football gets green light for fan return next season

Merkel to also visit Queen Elizabeth II during her 22nd visit to country

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson sits for a Tete a Tete with the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel at the Prime Ministers country residence Chequers in Aylesbury, United Kingdom on July 02, 2021.

Angela Merkel pays final visit to UK as chancellor

Video footage showed rivers of water gushing down streets and car windscreens shattered by huge hailstones

Brutal summer storms tore off part of the roof at the opera house in Stuttgart, southern Germany

Brutal summer storms lash Germany and Switzerland

The appeal comes just hours before a last-16 clash between England and longtime rivals Germany at London's Wembley stadium

UEFA and the British authorities have said some 45,000 supporters will be allowed to attend the game, equivalent to 50 percent of capacity

Blast at chemical site shakes Leverkusen

Delta variant spreading fast in Germany, says disease control agency

Merkel worried by Germany's 'exponential' virus growth

Some 170 still missing around Koblenz, victim numbers set to rise

Floods in Germany leave more than 150 dead

Merkel to visit flood-ravaged western Germany on Sunday

Death toll from floods in Germany rises to 133

Death toll from floods in Germany rises to 103

Germany reaffirms support for Afghan government amid Taliban advances

Merkel says jabs in Germany will remain voluntary

Germany's Lufthansa opts for gender-neutral plane greeting

Two under investigation in Germany over 2020 Vienna attack

German football gets green light for fan return next season

Angela Merkel pays final visit to UK as chancellor

Brutal summer storms lash Germany and Switzerland

Berlin urges UK govt to reduce Euro 2020 crowd sizes

# germany en

Blast at chemical site shakes Leverkusen

Delta variant spreading fast in Germany, says disease control agency

Merkel worried by Germany's 'exponential' virus growth

Some 170 still missing around Koblenz, victim numbers set to rise

Floods in Germany leave more than 150 dead

Merkel to visit flood-ravaged western Germany on Sunday

Death toll from floods in Germany rises to 133

Death toll from floods in Germany rises to 103

Germany reaffirms support for Afghan government amid Taliban advances

Merkel says jabs in Germany will remain voluntary

Germany's Lufthansa opts for gender-neutral plane greeting

Two under investigation in Germany over 2020 Vienna attack

German football gets green light for fan return next season

Angela Merkel pays final visit to UK as chancellor

Brutal summer storms lash Germany and Switzerland

Berlin urges UK govt to reduce Euro 2020 crowd sizes