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Posted in Barcelona F1 Lando Norris Max Verstappen McLaren Oscar Piastri Red Bull Racing Spain Sport UK News

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Posted in Barcelona News Spain UK News World

Toxic chlorine cloud in Spain forces 160,000 people indoors across major city

A picture taken on May 10, 2025 shows smoke billowing from a building storing pool cleaning products, in the coastal city of Vilanova i la Geltru, south of Barcelona. Spanish authorities told more than 160,000 people near Barcelona to stay indoors on Saturday after a fire at an industrial property released a toxic cloud of chlorine over a wide area. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Smoke billowing from a building storing pool cleaning products, in the coastal city of Vilanova i la Geltru, south of Barcelona (Picture: AFP)

As many as 160,000 people are under lockdown as a toxic chlorine cloud spreads over parts of Spain.

Authorities warned that a fire at an industrial property storing pool cleaning products has released the gas over a wide area south of Barcelona.

The incident happened in the coastal city of Vilanova i la Geltru, around 26 miles from the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region.

Flames – likely caused by a lithium battery – took hold of the building at around 2.30am, the regional fire service said.

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Spanish authorities sent a mobile message to the affected population and asked them not to leave their homes or workplaces while the toxic fumes dissipate.

‘If you are in the zone that is affected do not leave your home or your place of work,’ the Civil Protection service said on social media.

It is still unclear how long the lockdown will last as firefighters battle the flames.

The Department of the Interior of the Generalitat confirmed that another message will be sent to inform people that they can now go outside when the danger is over.

How dangerous is the chlorine cloud?

A picture taken on May 10, 2025 shows smoke billowing from a building storing pool cleaning products, in the coastal city of Vilanova i la Geltru, south of Barcelona. Spanish authorities told more than 160,000 people near Barcelona to stay indoors on May 10 after a fire at an industrial property released a toxic cloud of chlorine over a wide area. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
Spanish authorities have sent a message to more than 160,000 warning them to stay indoors (Picture: AFP)

Chlorine gas exposure can cause a range of health effects, from mild irritation to severe respiratory distress and even death, depending on the concentration and duration of exposure.

Initial symptoms often include burning sensations in the eyes and throat, while higher concentrations can lead to coughing, breathing difficulties, and lung damage.

As the toxic cloud expands, the at-risk area is stretches across at least five municipalities from Vilanova i la Geltru to the village of Calafell, near the city of Tarragona.

‘No casualties’ had been reported, the fire service said on X, adding that a large number of units deployed to the scene had brought the flames under control.

It said it is ‘monitoring the column (of gas) caused by the fire for changes and for its toxic levels’.

Owner of the industrial property, Jorge Vinuales Alonso, told local radio station Rac1: ‘It is very difficult for chlorine to catch fire but when it does so it is very hard to put it out.’

Trains which were due to pass through the area were held up, roads were blocked and other events were cancelled.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Posted in Barcelona Europe Travel Flights Insurance Lifestyle Madrid Portugal Spain Travel Travel Advice UK News

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