The almost 150,000 neighbors of the five municipalities confined this morning due to the fire declared in a chemical factory for Pools of Vilanova I La Geltrú (Barcelona) “can already leave home,” as confirmed by noon this Saturday the Minister of Interior and Security of the Generalitat Catalan, Nuria Parlon.
“We have just lifted the confinement and mobility restrictions,” although he recommended that “the older people and all those vulnerable or with respiratory problems of Vilanova I the Geltrú and the Roquetes neighborhood of Sant Pere de Ribes remain in their homes.”
Plón also indicated that “an exclusion zone of 500 meters around the burning industrial ship has been established,” containing 70 tons of chlorine inside. At the same time, in Cubelles, Cunit and Calafell you can make normal life.
At a press conference, Parlon said that “it is a dynamic confinement” and that “the situation can change depending on the wind.” In fact, it would be possible to “decree” confinements if the proportion of irritating and toxic particles increases throughout the day, he explained.
Toxic cloud control
The Firefighters of the Generalitat monitor the toxic cloud-the water contact used to put out the fire and particles of chemicals-, in order to monitor the direction they take based on the wind and the concentration of toxic substances.
At the moment, the External Emergency Plan of the Chemical Sector of Catalonia (PLASAQCAT) has gone from the emergency phase to the alert phase.
The Generalitat summarized that the confinement in Cunit, Cubelles and Calafell rises. In Vilanova and Core de Roquetes, confinement is recommended to vulnerable people (respiratory problems, sick, children and the elderly) and avoid physical activity abroad. The Catalan government recommends citizens to remain informed, while suggesting to be in their homes to vulnerable people (respiratory problems, sick, children and the elderly) and avoid physical activity abroad.
