Port of Barcelona authorities have reported that one person died and people were injured due to a tank explosion.
The explosion occurred due to a fire in a tank containing acetate at the Moll d’Energia dock in Barcelona Port, according to local news.
The explosion of a tank carrying acetate occurred at approximately 10 a.m. local time while maintenance activities were being performed. The blast resulted in one fatality, and others who suffered slight injuries were treated at the scene.
“The cause of the explosion is currently unknown” Sebastià Massagué, Head of the Barcelona Fire Brigade, told reporters on the afternoon of the day of the explosion.
Despite not being able to determine the causes of the incident, Massagué commented that the four people affected were carrying out maintenance work in a company depot and “thrown” by the explosion.
Barcelona firefighters deployed 14 units to the scene after receiving the alert, while the Medical Emergency System sent 11 teams. In addition, the Port police and Spain’s Guardia Civil also deployed several units, along with a judicial police team to begin the investigation and conduct proceedings.
Moreover, authorities activated the port’s emergency protocols, the civil protection Plaseqcat chemical warning, and Barcelona’s emergency alert protocol.
The Spanish government delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, reportedly stated that he regretted the death of a worker following the explosion.