International

Buenos Aires industrial explosion injures 22 people

At least 22 people were injured and hospitalized following a massive Buenos Aires industrial explosion in an industrial park.

The powerful blast occurred at a chemical plant situated near a paint factory. Dozens of firefighters and the Police Risk Situation Brigade were mobilized and immediately dispatched to the scene, classifying the event as a potential mass casualty incident.

The incident took place inside the Spegazzini industrial park in Ezeiza, where multiple production facilities were affected.

The Mayor of Ezeiza, Gaston Granados, confirmed the widespread flames affected numerous factories within the park and described the scene as "an explosion and fire of massive proportions."

He stated that the immediate cause of the explosions remains under investigation.

The force of the blast, which was distinctly felt across Ezeiza and Canuelas, was strong enough to shatter the windows of nearby homes. According to regional reports and Reuters, five factories were affected by the Ezeiza chemical plant fire and subsequent blaze. The industrial zone includes companies that produce items such as tires and chemical products.

"One of the affected sites is a chemical plant, where the warehouses caught fire and where there are facilities related to agriculture and fertilizers. There is also a plastics factory called Plasticos Lago," Mayor Granados detailed to local media.

"Everything is very confusing. We are trying to secure the area and evacuate anyone who might be nearby," he added. He confirmed that 15 fire crews are involved in the extensive emergency response.

Fabian Garcia, the director of civil defense in Buenos Aires province, warned, "It is a complex fire. It will be a long intervention."

Granados also addressed initial speculations regarding a small plane crash, stating that authorities "can neither confirm nor deny that a plane crashed" until the fire is completely extinguished, as reported by Digi24.

The owner of Sinteplast, a factory located in the industrial park, clarified that their facility was not the source of the fire, despite initial reports.

"The explosion destroyed everything: gates, ceilings, some structures, and the fire pipes were blown up. Firefighters are on the scene. It was a terrible explosion. It didn't reach our factory, but the powerful shockwave shook everything," he told local media.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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