Two people died after an explosion and a fire at a biodiesel plant in La Rioja in northern Spain early on Thursday afternoon.
The factory and the whole El Recuenco industrial zone in Calahorra were evacuated immediately after the accident, according to El Día de La Rioja newspaper and other media reports, citing the safety authorities.
Some 250 children who were out on a school trip were also brought to safety.
Videos made nearby and shared in social media showed a dense cloud of black smoke and flames after the blast that occurred at 1 pm (local time).
All of the police and firefighting units available were sent to the factory to fight the fire and ensure people were safe, the Calahorra local council said.
Avoid the area
The authorities called on the public to avoid the area in case of further explosions.
It was not clear what caused the explosion in Calahorra about 300 kilometres north-east of Madrid.
