Overview
- Authorities and emergency services responded after the 8:51 a.m. blast at the El Llano industrial estate in Socuéllamos, deploying helicopters, ambulances, firefighters, and police.
- CCOO reports that a 51-year-old worker died, a 31-year-old is in critical condition at Madrid’s Hospital La Paz, and a 58-year-old remains seriously injured at the Hospital of Albacete.
- Local officials said checks found no risk of contamination for nearby residents and asked people to avoid the area during operations.
- The cause is under investigation; CCOO cited initial indications of a tank explosion involving highly toxic and highly flammable chemicals, a point authorities have yet to confirm.
- The plant, opened in March 2025 and operated by Athisa, processes infectious medical waste and has faced organized local opposition; CCOO has called a protest on Friday in Ciudad Real.