A huge industrial accident has rocked Anzoátegui state in eastern Venezuela after a violent explosion erupted inside a chemical and crude-oil processing facility, triggering a massive fireball visible from several kilometers away. Videos shared online show a towering column of black smoke rising above the plant as workers and nearby residents fled the area.
Local reports say the blast occurred late in the afternoon during routine operations, though the exact cause has not yet been confirmed. Emergency units, firefighters, and civil-protection teams were immediately deployed as flames spread across multiple sections of the facility. Witnesses described hearing “a deep, shaking boom” followed by a series of smaller explosions as storage containers ignited.
Authorities have not released an official number of injuries, but early statements indicate several people may have been affected, either due to the explosion itself or smoke inhalation. Hospitals in the region were placed on alert as rescue teams continued searching for workers who may have still been inside.
Industrial accidents of this scale place enormous strain on local infrastructure, and environmental concerns are already rising. Crude-oil fires release highly toxic smoke, and Venezuelan environmental groups are warning nearby communities to remain indoors as authorities assess air quality.
While crews fight to gain control of the blaze, investigators will begin reviewing the plant’s safety systems, recent maintenance logs, and any potential equipment failures that could have triggered the explosion. For now, officials are urging residents to stay away from the area until the situation is brought under control.
This is a developing story — updates will follow as soon as new information is available.
