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Fears in Spain As Explosion Unleashes Orange Chemical Cloud over Catalonia

An orange cloud was created after a chemical explosion in the Catalonian city of Igualada. (via Twitter)

Fears in Spain As Explosion Unleashes Orange Chemical Cloud over Catalonia

As the cloud began to dissipate an order was lifted that had told more than 60,000 residents to stay indoors and shut off ventilation

Tens of thousands of local residents in the northern region of Catalonia in Spain were told to stay indoors on Thursday after an explosion at a chemical warehouse unleashed a toxic orange cloud over a wide area covering approximately six towns.

According to a spokeswoman from Catalonia's regional fire department, the chemical blast occurred when nitric acid and ferric chloride got mixed while they were being delivered to a warehouse in the city of Igualada.

The Guardianreports:

Spain's emergency services told residents to close their windows and seal off any means of ventilation. "This is not a game," they tweeted. "Don't put yourself in danger to take pictures of the cloud outside."

Initial reports had described the cloud as toxic, but Ramon Espadaler of Catalonia's interior ministry later told reporters that the chemicals were simply irritants. "Most likely it will cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but no choking sensation."

Whether the warnings offered comfort to locals was not immediately clear. As the cloud began to dissipate, officials partially lifted the safety order but continued to advise children, seniors and pregnant women to stay inside.

Alarming photos of the cloud were posted to social media sites:

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Tens of thousands of local residents in the northern region of Catalonia in Spain were told to stay indoors on Thursday after an explosion at a chemical warehouse unleashed a toxic orange cloud over a wide area covering approximately six towns.

According to a spokeswoman from Catalonia's regional fire department, the chemical blast occurred when nitric acid and ferric chloride got mixed while they were being delivered to a warehouse in the city of Igualada.

The Guardianreports:

Spain's emergency services told residents to close their windows and seal off any means of ventilation. "This is not a game," they tweeted. "Don't put yourself in danger to take pictures of the cloud outside."

Initial reports had described the cloud as toxic, but Ramon Espadaler of Catalonia's interior ministry later told reporters that the chemicals were simply irritants. "Most likely it will cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but no choking sensation."

Whether the warnings offered comfort to locals was not immediately clear. As the cloud began to dissipate, officials partially lifted the safety order but continued to advise children, seniors and pregnant women to stay inside.

Alarming photos of the cloud were posted to social media sites:

Tens of thousands of local residents in the northern region of Catalonia in Spain were told to stay indoors on Thursday after an explosion at a chemical warehouse unleashed a toxic orange cloud over a wide area covering approximately six towns.

According to a spokeswoman from Catalonia's regional fire department, the chemical blast occurred when nitric acid and ferric chloride got mixed while they were being delivered to a warehouse in the city of Igualada.

The Guardianreports:

Spain's emergency services told residents to close their windows and seal off any means of ventilation. "This is not a game," they tweeted. "Don't put yourself in danger to take pictures of the cloud outside."

Initial reports had described the cloud as toxic, but Ramon Espadaler of Catalonia's interior ministry later told reporters that the chemicals were simply irritants. "Most likely it will cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but no choking sensation."

Whether the warnings offered comfort to locals was not immediately clear. As the cloud began to dissipate, officials partially lifted the safety order but continued to advise children, seniors and pregnant women to stay inside.

Alarming photos of the cloud were posted to social media sites:

environmenteuropean unionspain