TARRAGONA, Spain- An explosion and fire at a northeastern Spain chemical factory killed one, deemed one missing and injured six people, according to local authorities.
The Tarragona factory was clouded by billowing black smoke following the explosion and rescue services consider this to be a chemical accident. Authorities did not find any evidence of “toxic cloud”.
The two injured are in a critical condition according to Miquel Buch from the Catalan regional government.
A Catalonia rescue service spokesman said that while the fire has been contained, several of those injured sustained burn wounds.
One person died in the building which collapsed close to the factory as a result of an explosion shockwave.
Two medical units were dispatched to the collapsed building site confirming the death of one. Another person was found on-site with less severe injuries and was being treated for the same.
The office of Pedro Sanchez, Spanish Prime Minister, remains in touch with Catalan authorities and they were ready to lend a helping hand for the serious event which caused injury and substantial damage of material.
Over 20 fire trucks, 11 emergency medical service vehicles and a helicopter were deployed to the site of the incident.
As a precaution, the civil defence agency advised people to remain indoors with doors and windows shut adding that evidence of a toxic cloud does not exist so far.
Local trains connecting Tarragona to neighbouring Port Aventura were suspended as ordered by the police, only to be resumed not long after. A few roads remain closed.
The factory affected is from the company Industrias Quimicas del Oxido de Etileno. The website says that the company is owned by CL Groupo Industrial SA.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field