A major chemical plant explosion near Seville on Wednesday has triggered a regional health alert, sending a plume of toxic black smoke over southern Spain and forcing tens of thousands of residents to remain indoors.
Fire erupts at Plainsur facility in Alcalá de Guadaíra
The explosion occurred just after 1:20 p.m. local time at a chemical warehouse in the La Red industrial park in Alcalá de Guadaíra, approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) southeast of Seville.
Emergency services responded quickly, evacuating the facility and surrounding warehouses. Two people were injured, including a plant worker with burns and a firefighter who became ill at the scene.
Spanish authorities identified the affected company as Plainsur, a chemical distributor with a large 11,000-square-metre site. The warehouse reportedly stores flammable compounds such as ethylene, toluene, and industrial solvents, though officials have not confirmed which substances were involved.
80,000 residents told to shelter in place
Authorities issued a level 1 emergency and activated Spain’s Es-Alert system, sending mobile warnings to the 77,000 residents of Alcalá de Guadaíra and surrounding areas. Officials instructed people to:
- Stay indoors
- Close all windows and doors
- Wear masks if venturing outside
The toxic smoke cloud from the explosion was visible from over 80 kilometers away. Air quality assessments are ongoing, and no further evacuations have been announced.
Firefighting efforts and public health risks
Firefighters from seven surrounding towns—including Utrera, La Rinconada, and Sanlúcar la Mayor—are working to fully contain the blaze. Authorities say the fire remains active, but under control as of Thursday morning.
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has not released a national statement, but regional officials have expressed concern about the environmental and public health implications.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
Second chemical fire in Spain this week
The Seville explosion is the second chemical facility fire in Spain in less than a week. On Saturday, a similar incident in northeastern Spain led to stay-at-home alerts for 150,000 people across five towns.
These events come on the heels of a nationwide power outage on April 28 that affected both Spain and Portugal, although authorities have ruled out sabotage.
What happens next
Emergency teams continue to monitor air quality, fire containment, and chemical exposure risk. Residents are urged to follow official updates and remain indoors until authorities declare the area safe.
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