A deadly explosion at the Port of Barcelona in Spain on Tuesday has left one person dead and another critically injured, according to Spanish media.
The blast occurred during maintenance work on a methyl acetate tank at Terminales Portuarias SL (Tepsa), a company specializing in chemical products, located at the Moll de l’Energia.
Gran flamarada al Port de Barcelona arran de l'explosió d'un tanc que contenia un líquid molt inflamable.
Una persona ha mort i una altra està ferida crítica arran de la deflagració, segons el SEM https://t.co/ElfMYuhTxz
Imatges: Jordi Rodriguez Mansergas pic.twitter.com/RcMdA3q55N
— 324.cat (@324cat) January 21, 2025
Two port workers reportedly had been welding inside the highly flammable tank when the explosion took place, according to eyewitness accounts cited by Spanish media. The fire ignited by the blast was quickly extinguished by firefighters within minutes of their arrival.
The critically injured worker has been transported to Vall d’Hebron Hospital, while authorities have confirmed two additional minor injuries.
Carlos Prieto, the Spanish government delegate in Catalonia, confirmed the deadly explosion on social media.
“Following with concern the accident that took place this morning at a chemical company in the Port of Barcelona,” Prieto tweeted on X.
Seguint amb preocupació l'accident que ha tingut lloc aquest matí en una empresa química al Port de Barcelona.
El meu sentit condol a la família de la persona que ha perdut la vida. Seguirem l'evolució dels quatre ferits, un d'ells greu, de qui esperem una prompta recuperació.…
— Carlos Prieto Gómez (@carlosprietogo) January 21, 2025
He offered his condolences to the family of the deceased worker, and said, “We will follow developments with the four injured, one of them seriously, for whom we hope for a speedy recovery.”
Emergency services responded sending 11 firefighting units and personnel from the Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) and Mossos d’Esquadra.
Authorities have activated the port’s chemical emergency plan and Barcelona’s Chemical Risk Plan, though officials have ruled out any risk of toxic exposure to the local population.
Police have called on residents near the affected area to follow instructions from officers as investigations into the cause of the explosion continue.