A chemical explosion in Spain on Thursday yielded an orange toxic cloud, forcing residents of five towns indoors.
Two people were slightly injured when nitric acid and ferric chloride housed in a warehouse in Igualada
mixed and exploded, The Associated Press reported.
About 65,000 people in the surrounding area were ordered to stay indoors for about two hours, and roads were closed around Igualada, which is about 40 miles northwest of Barcelona.
The plant where the explosion occurred is owned by the
Spanish company Simar, Reuters reported.
Ramon Espadaler, of Catalonia's interior ministry, called the gasses an
irritant and not toxic, according to UPI.
"Most likely it will cause itchy eyes and a runny nose, but no choking sensation." Spain's emergency services agency warned. "This is not a game. Don't put yourself in danger to take pictures of the cloud outside."
Images and videos of the orange cloud quickly spread on social media.
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