Slovnaft oil refinery on Thursday apologised to Bratislava residents for the huge blast heard kilometers away at 10 p.m. on Wednesday when its polyethylene-making line was depressurised for security purposes.

Spokesperson for the Slovnaft Petrochemicals Anton Molnar said that there was no fire or injuries as a result of the operation, which occurs automatically when there is an indication that permissible inner pressure or temperatures have been exceeded. Meanwhile, property damage at the plant, such as broken windows, will be assessed by a special committee.

"We apologise to all residents for the disruption ... the depressurisation didn't pose any danger to their safety, as the depressurisation is a controlled technological procedure. Unfortunately, the public in such an event cannot be forewarned," reads a statement presented for medias.

(TASR, SKTODAY / ILLUSTRATION PHOTO)