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Huge explosion rocks chemical plant in Spain, locals urged to stay indoors (VIDEOS) Huge explosion rocks chemical plant in Spain, multiple casualties reported (VIDEOS)
(32 minutes later)
A huge fire has broken out at a chemical plant in Tarragona, Spain following an explosion at the site. One person is reported dead and another six injured. A huge fire broke out at a chemical plant in Tarragona, Spain following an explosion at the site. One person is reported dead and another six injured.
Catalonia's civil defense agency warned locals to shelter indoors as a precautionary measure. The shelter order was later lifted, Interior Minister Miquel Buch confirmed to local media. The blast was reported at around 6:40pm local time on Tuesday in the Catalonian port city which attracts tourists with its numerous Roman-era ruins. People living several kilometers away reportedly felt its impact. As firefighting teams were dispatched to the scene, Catalonia’s civil defense agency warned locals to shelter inside with their doors and windows closed as a precautionary measure. Residents were also asked not to drive.
The moment of the initial blast and resulting fireball was caught on camera. The explosion occurred at a chemical plant between Bonavista and La Canonja which processes ethylene oxide. An initial explosion reportedly took place in an ethylene oxide tank, followed by a second in another area. Authorities stated that one person was killed when the blast toppled a building, and six people were reported injured. Two of those injured suffered major burns.
One person was killed when the blast toppled a building, the civil defense agency confirmed. Another six have been reported injured. Among them, two are seriously burned. The moment of the initial blast and resulting fireball was caught on camera. Videos shared on social media also captured the panic on street level, as a towering pillar of fire and smoke soared over the historic city streets.
Eight firefighting teams were deployed to tackle the blaze, according to local authorities. Footage and photos shared online by residents in the surrounding area show an enormous blaze at the facility, with clouds of dense smoke rising above. The fire is believed to have started in an ethylene oxide storage tank at the plant. Less than two hours after the explosion, firefighters said that the situation was contained, but work continued on extinguishing the burning tank.
The explosion reportedly happened at around 6.40pm local time, and people living several kilometers away from the site are claiming to have felt its impact. The shelter order was then lifted by Catalonian Interior Minister Miquel Buch.
In an alert issued by Catalonia's Directorate General of Civil Protection, residents are being told to"lock yourself in a building and close doors and windows," although no toxic cloud has been recorded. The plant belongs to chemicals firm IQOXE, and processes ethylene oxide. It is the only producer of ethylene oxide and glycol in Spain and Portugal. IQOXE invested more than 10 million euros into expanding the facility in 2017, bringing its annual production up to 140,000 tons.
People are also being asked not to drive in the immediate area, and rail services have been suspended.
Firefighters managed to contain the fire less than two hours after it broke out, yet a tank of ethylene oxide is reportedly still ablaze.
According to local reports, the plant affected belongs to IQOXE, and is the only producer of ethylene oxide and glycol in Spain and Portugal. Tarragona itself is home to some 200,000 people, and was founded in the 5th century BC. The city's Roman ruins are a major tourist draw, and have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Some 200,000 people live in the port city of Tarragona, which was founded in the 5th Century BC. The city's Roman ruins are a major tourist draw, and have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Like this story? Share it with a friend!
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