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1 killed, at least 9 injured in massive explosion at Spain chemical plant

The deadly explosion took place at a petrochemical plant in northeastern Spain that produces compounds for detergents and plastics, among other products.
Credit: AP
Smoke rise following a big explosion at an industrial hub near the port city of Tarragona, Spain, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. A chemical emergency alert has been activated in northeastern Spain following a big explosion in an industrial zone near the port city of Tarragona, regional emergency services said Tuesday. (AP Photo/David Oliete)

A massive explosion at a petrochemical plant in northeastern Spain has killed one person and injured at least nine others. 

A local government spokesman for the port city of Tarragona said a preliminary investigation indicated the force of Tuesday's blast killed an individual in a nearby neighborhood. 

The explosion took place at the premises of Iqoxe, which produces compounds for detergents and plastics, among other products. 

The civil protection agency in Spain's Catalonia region called the blast a “chemical accident” and warned people in parts of Tarragona and in nearby towns to refrain from going outside as a precaution. 

Local residents posted videos showing flames and a big column of black smoke. 

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