Around 160,000 people in Spain’s Catalonia region were ordered to stay indoors on Saturday after a fire at a chemical factory released a toxic chlorine cloud over several towns.
Around 160,000 people in Spain's northeastern Catalonia region were warned to stay inside on Saturday after a fire at an industrial estate caused a toxic cloud of chlorine over a wide area, emergency services said.
The blaze at a swimming pool cleaning products company started at 2.20 a.m. (0020 GMT) in Vilanova i la Geltru, a town 48 kilometres (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 cancelled.
The fire was under control, Civil Protection spokesperson Joan Ramon Cabello told the TVE television channel.
Kazakhstan’s next presidential election will be held in 2029 in line with the Constitution, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said after voting...
The war in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt the flow of critical medicines to Gulf countries, raising concerns about the supply of cancer tr...
Russia has imposed a fine of 35 million roubles (around $432,366) on the messaging platform Telegram for failing to remove content deemed illegal b...
Madagascar's president, Michael Randrianirina announced the appointment of anti-corruption chief Mamit...
Nicolas Sarkozy is due back in court on Monday as he challenges a conviction linked to claims his 2007 election campaign sought financ...
The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
The war in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt the flow of critical medicines to Gulf countries, raising concerns about the supply of cancer treatments and other temperature-sensitive drugs, according to pharmaceutical industry executives.
Russia has imposed a fine of 35 million roubles (around $432,366) on the messaging platform Telegram for failing to remove content deemed illegal by the authorities, according to the Interfax news agency.
Nicolas Sarkozy is due back in court on Monday as he challenges a conviction linked to claims his 2007 election campaign sought financial backing from Libya under former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.
The Academy Awards nominations have been announced, with the crime drama Sinners leading the race securing a record 16 nominations ahead of the ceremony set for 15 March. The event, which honours the film industry’s top achievements over the past year, will be hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.
A number of flights have resumed to and from Dubai International Airport, after a drone strike early on Monday resulted in the temporary suspension of operations at the world's busiest air hub. It comes as the Middle East conflict enters its 16th day.
Two Indian-flagged tankers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, carrying 92,700 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), are en route to India despite disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, the Indian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday (14 March).
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russia has imposed a fine of 35 million roubles (around $432,366) on the messaging platform Telegram for failing to remove content deemed illegal by the authorities, according to the Interfax news agency.
Madagascar's president, Michael Randrianirina announced the appointment of anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison as prime minister, six days after dismissing the previous premier along with the entire cabinet.
Nicolas Sarkozy is due back in court on Monday as he challenges a conviction linked to claims his 2007 election campaign sought financial backing from Libya under former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Myanmar's Parliament will has convened for the first in the five years since the current military administration seized power five years ago ousting Nobel winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 16 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment