Toxic chlorine gas leak near Barcelona forces 160 000 residents into confinement

The blaze broke out at a facility producing swimming pool cleaning products at around 02:20 local time (LT) on Saturday in Vilanova i la Geltru, located 48 km (30 miles) south of Barcelona, releasing a massive plume of toxic chlorine gas over the region.

More than 160 000 people in five nearby towns were instructed to remain indoors due to the toxic emissions. “If you are in the zone that is affected, do not leave your home or your place of work,” the Civil Protection service announced.

The Civil Protection Service reported receiving thousands of calls from concerned residents seeking updates and assistance following the fire.

Imatges aèries des del dron de la unitat #MAER de #bomberscat desplaçat a l'incendi de Vilanova i la Geltrú per fer seguiment de l'evolució de l'incendi i de la columna de fum.#PLASEQCAT pic.twitter.com/AR2cnrHNYk

— Bombers (@bomberscat) May 10, 2025

While no casualties were reported, several residents experienced respiratory irritation due to inhalation of toxic fumes, with some receiving medical treatment.

Authorities closed roads and train stations near the affected area to prevent public access. A 500 m (1 700 feet) exclusion zone was established around the facility due to safety concerns.

“It is very difficult for chlorine to catch fire, but when it does so it is very hard to put it out,” the owner of the industrial property, Jorge Vinuales Alonso, told local radio station Rac1. Although the cause of the blaze remains unclear, Alonso believes that it might have been caused by a lithium battery.

L'incendi de Vilanova i la Geltrú continua actiu. Està confinat a la nau de productes per a piscines i treballem amb l'objectiu d'evitar la propagació a les naus adjacents.

No consten ferits
Hi ha 25 #bomberscat amb #GRIT #GROS #UCM mobilitzades#PLASEQCAT @emergenciescat pic.twitter.com/AbwrXBu58e

— Bombers (@bomberscat) May 10, 2025

The fire was brought under control, and the confinement order was lifted later in the day. Catalonia’s Interior Minister, Núria Parlón, made the announcement at a press conference at 12:15 LT on Saturday.

Cleanup operations are ongoing as local authorities work to safely dispose of burnt materials and prevent the spread of toxic residues.

Residents were advised to limit outdoor activities even after the alert was lifted due to lingering airborne toxins. Firefighters cautioned that additional shelter-in-place orders could be issued depending on wind direction and the movement of the toxic plume.