An explosion at a factory making gunpowder for fireworks in a community near Colombia’s capital Bogota resulted in the death of one person and the injury of at least 32 people yesterday Wednesday afternoon, according to local media.

According to Colombian media, a powerful explosion rocked the industrial community of Soacha at around 17:00 (local time; around 01:00 today) yesterday.

Alcaldia de @Alcaldia_Soacha confirmó número de persona heridas tras explosión de la “Pirotécnica el Vaquero” Total: 21 heridos, Hospital Cardiovascular: 5 ingresos, uno de ellos en estado crítico, Hospital Mario Gaitán Yanguas: 2 ingresos-Clínica San Luis: 14 ingresos. pic.twitter.com/83QOggGFB3

— Localízate 1490 (@Localizate1490) May 22, 2024

A large part of a pyrotechnic plant, on a mountainside, was destroyed by the explosion and continued to burn as night approached, aerial videos broadcast by media showed.

The explosion at the Pirotécnica El Vaquero factory, the cause of which is unknown at this stage, resulted in 29 people being injured, the mayor in Soacha, Juan Sanchez Perico, said via X, specifying that they have now been evacuated to four hospitals.

Fire brigade vehicles and rescue teams from the capital were also sent in, the mayor in Bogota, Carlos Galan, disclosed.

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Local authorities are operating with the support of police, civil protection and personnel of explosive ordnance disposal units.

Windows of houses around the factory were shattered and fire trucks were rushed to the scene, according to photos released by the Colombian fire department’s Directorate of the Colombian Fire Department via X.

#Atención / Se registró explosión en empresa de pirotecnia en #Soacha #Cundinamarca

Explosión en la fábrica pirotécnica ‘El Vaquero’ de la ciudad de Soacha

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Sobre las 4:30 p.m. se presentó una explosión al interior de la fábrica de pirotecnia ‘El Vaquero’. A la hora, mientras… pic.twitter.com/0Tcd3eSi74

— 7N Noticias (@7NNoticias) May 22, 2024