A series of powerful explosions tore through an industrial complex on the outskirts of Buenos Aires on Friday night, triggering a massive blaze and causing widespread disruption, according to officials.
What Happened in Ezeiza?
The devastating incident occurred in the Ezeiza municipality, home to the country's main international airport. At least 15 people were injured and had to be rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Mayor Gaston Granados described the scene, stating, "The explosions and fire breaking out in the different factories are huge."
Firefighters battled relentlessly against the ensuing inferno, but faced significant challenges. "We are trying to control [the fire] and extinguish it but have not been able to so far," Granados admitted in a statement to the press.
Immediate Consequences and Response
The blasts and the subsequent fire generated an enormous plume of smoke that severely affected visibility in the area. This led to operational chaos at the nearby Ministro Pistarini International Airport, with several scheduled flights being either delayed or diverted to alternative locations.
While the exact cause of the explosions is still under investigation, initial reports suggest they likely originated from one of five factories that caught fire. Mayor Granados confirmed to a local news network that one of the affected facilities was a chemical plant, where warehouses were engulfed in flames, and another was a plastics factory.
Authorities have mobilised a substantial emergency response. The mayor assured the public that over a dozen fire engines and ambulances were deployed at the scene to ensure safety and provide aid. Local media reported that most of the injured were area residents who sustained minor to moderate injuries, primarily from burns and shattered glass caused by the powerful shock waves from the blasts.
Ongoing Efforts and Preparedness
As firefighters, led by Civil Defense Director Fabian Garcia, continued their struggle against what was described as a "complex" and "long" fire, the healthcare system swung into action. The provincial Ministry of Health confirmed that hospitals in the region were working in a coordinated manner and were prepared to receive more casualties.
In a significant move, the Cuenca Alta Nestor Kirchner Hospital in Buenos Aires activated its contingency plan for catastrophic situations, standing ready to intervene if the situation escalates further. The municipality of Ezeija officially acknowledged that "significant explosions" were recorded at the scene as emergency crews work to bring the situation under full control.
