Three individuals killed in construction accident at Flemløse Biogas site in Denmark

The Danish Working Environment Authority has conducted multiple inspections at the construction site of Flemløse Biogas, which has been building a new silo since March. The authority reports that the conditions on the site were satisfactory. However, on Tuesday evening, a serious accident occurred, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to six others. According to local police, a group was working on the silo’s roof when it is believed to have collapsed.

Despite the ongoing inspections, no formal mandates were issued to the company. An internal review indicates that the construction of the silo involved was initiated in March. The Working Environment Authority confirmed that their visits did not lead to any formal notices against the company.

Furthermore, it has come to light that the construction began without an official building permit from the local municipality, as noted in communications between the municipality and Flemløse Biogas. In a letter dated April 16, the municipality pointed out that the ongoing work on the process tank (another term for the silo) required a permit and stated that the structure is classified as a process tank, which does not fall under exemption clauses in current building regulations.

On Friday, a municipal director revealed that the building permit for the silo was only granted on October 8. When questioned about how construction could proceed for over six months without a permit, the director explained that a spring visit to the biogas plant had indicated the work had begun without the necessary approval, but it was believed that a permit could be obtained, thus allowing construction to continue. Investigations into the accident’s causes are ongoing, in collaboration with relevant authorities.