Catalonia on alert for toxic clouds

A significant fire has occurred at a chemical manufacturing facility in Vilanova i la Geltrú, a coastal municipality near Barcelona. The conflagration has resulted in the emission of a substantial toxic chlorine cloud, prompting local governing bodies to institute a mandatory shelter-in-place order across five municipalities. The fire originated within an industrial storage building on Rambla Paisos Catalans, which contained swimming pool supplies. Numerous firefighting units from the Catalan Generalitat have been deployed to the location, with assistance provided by experts from the Technological Risk Group (GRIT) and the Operational Support Group (GORDO). Civil Protection services have activated their designated emergency response plan. Authorities have mandated a lockdown for residents of Les Roquetes, Sant Pere de Ribes, Cubelles, Cunit, and Calafell, all located within the province of Barcelona. As a precautionary measure, vehicular transit has been suspended in areas affected by the airborne plume. At present, there have been no reported deaths or injuries resulting from this incident.