This Monday morning has been shaken by a explosion at a healthcare waste treatment plant located in Socuéllamos (Ciudad Real), an incident that adds to others reports of explosions at facilities, which has left three people injured with burns of varying severity. The incident occurred at the El Llano industrial estate in the Denmark Street, immediately activating emergency teams.
According to the Emergency Service 112 of Castilla-La Mancha, the notice came in at 8 pm and triggered a widespread health and security deployment. Local authorities have requested that the area be avoided while the operations are completed, and have emphasized that there is no risk of contamination for the neighbors.
What happened
sources of Firefighters from Tomelloso and Alcázar They indicated that the deflagration originated in a container drum with chemical products inside the ship. The shock wave was significant and caused glass to break due to overpressure and deformed doors, although the officers specified that no subsequent fire was declared, correcting initial information that pointed to a fire.
At the time of the accident they were five workers working at the facility. Three of them were injured, two critically and one in serious condition, with burns and trauma associated with the explosion.
Wounded and transfers
Medical teams evacuated a woman by helicopter 51 year old woman to the General Hospital of Ciudad Real, where he remains in critical condition. Another worker, a male of 31 years (identified by his initials MML), was also transferred by helicopter to La Paz Hospital in Madrid.
The third affected, a man of 58 years (FAL), the facility's manager, was evacuated by mobile intensive care unit to Albacete Hospital in serious condition. According to initial assessments by 112, two of the workers have burns on around 80% of the body, while the third suffers injuries in approximately 30% and open fractures.
Operation and situation in the area
They went to the place two medical helicoptersA mobile intensive care unit, a basic life support ambulance, an emergency physician, and Civil Guard, Local Police, and Firefighters were all present. The extinguishing and securing operation was completed around noon, and the area was placed under police guard for further investigation.
El Socuéllamos City Council reported on its official channels that, after technical checks, no defects have been detected risks to the population or residential areas upcoming. However, it was recommended not to approach the industrial estate until the emergency services' work was completed.
Research and possible causes
La Civil Guard Judicial Police has taken over the investigation to clarify the origin of the incident. The president of the Athisa Group, to which the company belongs, said that the workers were transferring formaldehyde in thousand-liter drums when the incident occurred and noted that the third container, which had not been tampered with at the time, would have swollen abnormally until it gives in. According to his statements, formaldehyde is not self-igniting and requires an ignition source, so the hypothesis of a possible container defect, an extreme that will have to be verified by experts.
Firefighters confirmed that the explosion was followed by a deflagration without fire, adding that the blast wave caused the internal material damage described. All the causes are under expert analysis and no conclusions will be offered until the proceedings are closed.
Plant context and reactions
The facility, owned by the Athisa Group, was presented as a pioneering plant for its ability to treat comprehensively hazardous healthcare waste, including solid cytostatics and liquid hospital effluents. Its implementation generated debate in the town and Stop Biomethane and Stop Medical Waste Plant platforms He has repeatedly expressed his opposition for environmental and health reasons.
From the union sphere, CCOO Castilla-La Mancha has expressed its concern and asked for clarification on whether all occupational safety protocols were followed. The union asserts that will remain vigilant regarding the progress of the injured and the outcome of the official investigation.
The available information describes a high-impact incident that has been quickly attended to by the emergency services and that has not posed any danger to the population According to authorities, while the Civil Guard is working to determine the exact origin of the explosion and the circumstances surrounding it.
