Two injured after chemical explosion as orange cloud spreads over Catalonian towns

Up to 65,000 people have been told to stay indoors after a chemical explosion at a warehouse spread a massive orange cloud over towns across Catalonia. 

 

Residents of Igualada, Odena, Santa Margarida de Montbui, Vilanova del Cami and Jorba were told to stay inside when the explosion happened earlier today. Igualada is about an hour's drive from Barcelona.

 

Although emergency services are now advising that some people can leave their homes, children, elderly people, pregnant women and those with respiratory illnesses have still be told to stay indoors. 

 

The explosion and fire happened at Simar, a chemical distribution company, and could have been caused by nitrous gases, according to local media reports. 

 

It is thought to have taken place at around 9am local time, when the loads of two trucks were mixed as they were being unloaded. 

 

Two people have reportedly been injured. 

 

The explosion has created a massive orange cloud which has spread throughout the region, as these images below show. 

 

https://twitter.com/uk_expat/status/565811608958824448

 

https://twitter.com/finanuar/status/565803898469117952

 

https://twitter.com/xupunsitu/status/565831923654991872

 

https://twitter.com/C0d3fr0sty/status/565829705295613953

 

This video shows the cloud spreading above the town.