Explosion Shakes Industrial Area South of Buenos Aires

• Mayor warns of a “complex” fire expected to smolder for a long period.
• Five factories impacted, including chemical and plastics facilities.
• Fifteen fire crews dispatched to combat the intense industrial blaze.

On Friday night, a series of powerful explosions shook an industrial zone south of Buenos Aires, triggering a large fire and sending at least 22 people to the hospital, authorities reported.

The incident took place within the Spegazzini Industrial Park in Ezeiza, where multiple factories were affected. “The explosions and fires occurring in different factories are massive,” stated Gaston Granados, the mayor of Ezeiza. The exact cause of the explosions remains unknown.

Footage aired on TV showed dense smoke billowing from the industrial area, and social media was flooded with dramatic videos capturing towering flames and a shockwave moving through the scene.

The blast was felt throughout Ezeiza and Canuelas, shattering windows in nearby homes. Some residents reported seeing an object fall from the sky just moments before the explosion.

Carlos Santoro, director of the local hospital, indicated that 22 injured individuals had been received. Reports suggest that five factories were damaged by the explosions and the ensuing fire. These include businesses involved with tire manufacturing and chemical products.

Granados noted that several facilities within the industrial park were affected, including a chemical plant with burning warehouses and sites related to agriculture and fertilizer production. He also mentioned a plastics company, Plasticos Lago.

The scene was described as chaotic, with Granados stating, “It’s very confusing. We’re prioritizing safety and evacuations in the area. Firefighters are working tirelessly to fight the widespread blaze.” A total of 15 firefighting units have been mobilized.

Fabian Garcia, the civil defense director for Buenos Aires province, characterized the fire as “highly complex” and noted it would take a long time to extinguish.

Early speculation suggested a small aircraft might have been involved, but Granados said authorities “cannot confirm or deny that a plane crashed” until the fire is fully contained.

The owner of Sinteplast, a factory located within the industrial park, clarified that his plant was not the origin of the fire despite initial reports. “The explosion destroyed everything—gates, ceilings, some structures, and fire suppression pipes were blown off. Firefighters are on site. It was a terrible explosion, but it did not reach our factory. The shockwave shook everything,” he stated to local media.

— With additional insights from AFP