EZEIZA, Argentina – A devastating chain of explosions at a major petrochemical and industrial hub on the outskirts of Buenos Aires killed at least 20 people and injured more than two dozen others late Friday, in one of the worst industrial disasters in Argentina’s recent history.
The initial blast, which erupted around 10:30 PM local time in the industrial district of Ezeiza, south of the capital, triggered a firestorm and a series of violent secondary explosions that ripped through multiple factories. The complex houses a cluster of facilities, including tire manufacturers, chemical plants, and plastics producers.
Unprecedented Scale and a Frantic Response
The force of the explosion was felt for miles, shattering windows in nearby residential areas and sending a towering column of flames and toxic black smoke into the night sky. Drone and television footage from Saturday morning showed entire sections of the industrial complex reduced to smoldering ruins, with twisted metal and charred debris littering the landscape.
Ezeiza Mayor Gaston Granados described the incident as catastrophic and unprecedented. “The magnitude is tremendous,” Granados told reporters at the scene. “We are trying to bring the blaze under control, but we have not succeeded yet. The priority is to contain the fire to prevent further loss of life and environmental damage.” He confirmed that the cause of the explosion remains unknown and under investigation.
The Argentine Federal Emergency Agency (AFEA) deployed numerous emergency teams, including hundreds of firefighters, police, and hazardous materials units. Authorities established a security perimeter and warned residents in the immediate vicinity to keep windows closed due to the potential risk of toxic fumes from the burning chemicals.
Rising Toll and Hospital Response
Rescue workers continued a grim search through the wreckage on Saturday, with officials cautioning that the death toll was likely to rise as they gained access to the most severely affected areas.
Carlos Santoro, director of the Ezeiza Municipal Hospital, confirmed that at least 22 injured people had been admitted for treatment. The injuries ranged from severe burns and trauma from the blasts to respiratory problems caused by smoke inhalation. Several victims were reported to be in critical condition.
“The emergency services acted with incredible speed,” Santoro said. “We have received patients with various injuries, and we are working with other medical centers to ensure everyone receives the care they need.”
Impact and Ongoing Concerns
Local media reports indicate that at least five separate factories within the industrial park were severely damaged or destroyed by the fire. The economic impact and the long-term environmental consequences of the disaster are yet to be assessed.
As the emergency response entered a second day, the primary goals remained: fully extinguishing the stubborn blaze, which continued to flare up in pockets, securing the area to prevent further accidents, and providing support to the families of the victims. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised urgent questions about safety protocols in the country’s industrial zones.
An official investigation into the cause of the explosion is underway, with federal authorities expected to take the lead in determining what sparked the initial blast.
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