BRASILIA: At least eight people were killed and 11 wounded in a series of silo explosions at an agricultural cooperative in the southern Parana state of Brazil, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The explosions occurred on the premises of the C. Vale agroindustrial company in the municipality of Palotina.
The blasts caused devastation, with one victim still trapped “under corn and debris from the explosion,” according to state firefighting officials. The rescue efforts are ongoing, and firefighters are working diligently to access and retrieve the victim.
Initially, the reported toll on Wednesday was two dead and two injured, but as further assessments were conducted, the extent of the tragedy became apparent.
Intensity of Brazil Explosions
The incident started with an explosion in one of the silos, which then triggered two more subsequent explosions, as described by Parana fire brigade spokesman Tiago Zajac. A video circulated on social media, showing a massive column of white smoke billowing from the site, and residents in Palotina reported feeling a tremor as the explosions shattered windows in several homes.
- Vale, a significant producer of soybeans, wheat, and corn, issued a statement confirming the “large-scale accident” at their central grain reception unit in Palotina. The cause of the explosions is yet to be determined, and the company’s boss, Alfredo Lang, expressed shock at the tragedy, assuring that a technical team is actively investigating the incident.
In response to the disaster, several dozen firefighters were dispatched to the municipality of Palotina, which has a population of around 30,000.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences and solidarity with the affected workers and their families through a message posted on Twitter.
