Fireball explosion near airport as 15 rushed to hospital and flights cancelled

Flights to and from Buenos Aires' Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) faced delays and cancellations after a significant explosion ripped through a nearby industrial park. The incident, which occurred around 9 PM local time, resulted in at least 15 people being hospitalized. The explosion triggered a massive fire, sending a large plume of black smoke into the air and causing structural damage to buildings within a three-mile radius.

Local authorities, including Ezeiza Mayor Gaston Granados, responded to the scene, confirming that the affected industrial park housed both chemical and plastics plants. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze, which is described as complex and expected to be prolonged. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

The incident underscores the potential impact of industrial accidents on airport operations and the surrounding community. While the immediate focus is on containing the fire and providing medical assistance, investigations will likely examine safety protocols and emergency response procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The disruption to flight schedules highlights the interconnectedness of various industries and the potential for cascading effects when unforeseen events occur.