Toxic cloud hangs over Spain after explosion at chemical factory

More than 40,000 people in the immediate area, as well as residents in five other towns, have been urged to stay indoors Credit: Reuters

A toxic cloud has spread over swathes of northern Spain after an explosion at a chemical factory in the Catalonia region.

Three people were injured in the blast, which regional government officials said appeared to have been caused by two volatile chemicals coming into contact during a delivery.

A thick orange cloud was caught on camera by people travelling along the freeway near the town of Igualada, around 40 miles from Barcalona, where the plant is based.

Roads have been closed and trains cancelled as Catalan authorities urged 40,000 people in the immediate area - as well as residents in five other towns - to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed.

Children, the elderly and pregnant women in particular are being warned to avoid the potentially dangerous gases.

The chemicals involved in the explosion were ferric chloride and nitric acid, which is corrosive and toxic.

Simar, the company which owns the plant, has not yet commented on the incident.