A simulated epichlorohydrin leak activates the PLASEQCAT and confines all staff in Celrà

The Medical Emergencies Service (SEM) deployed three ground units for decontamination and medical triage.

06 of march of 2026 at 16:05h
A simulated epichlorohydrin leak activates the PLASEQCAT and confines all staff in Celrà
A simulated epichlorohydrin leak activates the PLASEQCAT and confines all staff in Celrà

A chemical accident drill was carried out this Monday at the facilities of Nalco Española Manufacturing S.L.U., located in the Celrà industrial estate. The exercise, coordinated by Protecció Civil de la Generalitat and the company itself, recreated an epichlorohydrin leak in a storage tank, with a fire and two injured people in a difficult-to-access area inside the containment basin.

Activation of emergency plans and confinement

Following the detection of the alleged incident, the company activated the Pla d"Autoprotecció (PAU), confined all personnel and requested assistance from 112, the Centre de Coordinació d"Emergències de Catalunya (CECAT) and the Municipal Guard. The Celrà City Council launched the municipal emergency plan and the Generalitat activated the PLASEQCAT in alert phase, following the protocol foreseen for this type of situation.

Intervention of Bombers, Mossos and SEM

In the operation participated the Firefighters, who coordinated the extinguishing of the fire, the decontamination tasks, and the rescue of the two simulated injured. Mossos d"Esquadra and Municipal Guard collaborated in the access control and the security perimeter. The Medical Emergencies Service (SEM) deployed three ground units for decontamination and health triage.

Without exterior or environmental effect

According to the scenario presented, no external or environmental impact occurred. The drill had an approximate duration of one hour and is part of the periodic exercises aimed at validating protocols and improving coordination among the different emergency services.

"The drill lasted approximately one hour and is part of the periodic exercises to validate protocols and improve coordination between services" - Civil Protection