UPDATE: Pennsylvania police on alert following Air Products attack, governor says
Air Products & Chemicals Inc. of Lehigh County owns the French gas plant outside of which a person was beheaded Friday morning in a terrorist attack, Bloomberg Business reports.
A terrorism investigation was opened into the attack in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier in the southeastern part of the country, the Associated Press reports. Two men in a car struck gas canisters which set off an explosion, the AP said. Later reports said it might have been just one man.
One attacker was arrested, the AP said.
Two people were injured, Bloomberg said.
The body and banners with Arabic inscriptions were found near the factory entrance, the AP said.
The plant produces gases used by industry and hospitals, Bloomberg said. Air Products also has a customer service center near Paris, Bloomberg said. A document on Air Products' website confirms it manages both properties. The AP later confirmed the plant's ownership.
Air Products is based in Upper Macungie Township.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and want to express our sympathies to the family of the victim of this unspeakable tragedy," Air Products said in a prepared statement. "... Security has been increased at locations around the world as a precautionary measure."
All Air Products employees have left the site and all are accounted for, the company said. The plant is secure and the company's crisis and response teams are working "closely with all relevant authorities," the company said.
The company didn't say if the injured people were Air Products employees.