Toxic cloud forces 160,000 Spaniards to stay inside after fire
The blaze at a swimming pool cleaning products company started at 2.20 a.m. local time (8:20 p.m. Friday ET) in Vilanova i la Geltru, a town 48 kilometers (30 miles) south of Barcelona and caused a huge plume of chlorine smoke over the area.
'If you are in the zone that is affected do not leave your home or your place of work,' the Civil Protection service said on social media site X.
No one has been hurt in the fire, Catalan emergency services said on Saturday, but residents in five towns were sent a message on their mobile phones telling them to remain inside.
'It is very difficult for chlorine to catch fire but when it does so it is very hard to put it out,' the owner of the industrial property, Jorge Vinuales Alonso, told local radio station Rac1.
He said the cause of the fire might have been a lithium battery.
Trains which were due to pass through the area were held up, roads were blocked and other events were canceled.
The fire was under control, Civil Protection spokesperson Joan Ramon Cabello told the TVE television channel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Skift
3 hours ago
- Skift
Extreme Heat in Greece Triggers Safety Warnings for Tourists, Forces Partial Shut Down of Acropolis
The increasing frequency of heat events is raising fresh questions about climate resilience in Mediterranean tourism markets, especially as the peak season now coincides with dangerous weather extremes. Greece has partially shut down the Acropolis in Athens and is urging tourists to stay indoors as an extreme heatwave sweeps across the country. Greece's Ministry of Culture has closed the ancient citadel during the hottest hours everyday since Tuesday. It is the most visited attraction in the country. 'The Acropolis Archaeological Site will remain closed from Friday to Sunday, between 12:00 and 17:00 due to high temperatures, for the safety of employees and visitors,' the ministry said in a statement. Temperatures in parts of the country are expected to peak at 43°C (109°F), according to Greece's Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. Authorities have advised residents and tourists to stay cool, avoid crowds, use air conditioning or fans, wear breathable clothing, and drink water regularly. Tourism Sector Faces Heat Pressure Greece, which welcomes millions of visitors annually during the summer months, is no stranger to extreme heat. But climate change is intensifying those patterns. The country has experienced longer and more intense heatwaves in recent years, as well as deadly floods and destructive wildfires. Last month, Western Europe was gripped by another searing heatwave that triggered evacuations, injuries, and travel disruption across France, Spain, and Greece. Thousands were displaced by wildfires, while tourism businesses and public agencies scrambled to respond. Skift's in-depth reporting on climate issues is made possible through the financial support of Intrepid Travel. This backing allows Skift to bring you high-quality journalism on one of the most important topics facing our planet today. Intrepid is not involved in any decisions made by Skift's editorial team.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
🎥 Thunderstorm hits América v Tijuana
America and Tijuana had to suspend the match for safety reasons, as a thunderstorm surprised the attendees while the second half was being played, with 30 minutes left to play. Although, Civil Protection sheltered the spectators at the City of Sports Stadium, many chose to leave the facilities due to the weather conditions. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Agustin Cuevas - 2025 Getty Images
Associated Press
14-07-2025
- Associated Press
An earthquake with a preliminary 6.2 magnitude shakes Panama, with no immediate reports of damage
PANAMA CITY (AP) — An earthquake with a preliminary 6.2 magnitude struck off the Pacific coast of Panama on Monday, authorities said. No injuries or damage were immediately reported. The U.S. Geological Survey said that the quake occurred around midday about 130 miles (210 kilometers) south of Punta Burica at a preliminary depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), in Panama's Chiriquí province near the border with Costa Rica. The temblor was felt in Chiriquí and surrounding areas in western Panama, a region known for frequent seismic activity. Local officials said that there was no threat of a tsunami. Panama's civil protection agency said it would continue monitoring the situation, but confirmed no damage to infrastructure had been immediately reported.
