Explosion at fireworks factory leaves four dead.
Four female employees of a fireworks factory in Santo Antônio do Monte, about 180 km from Belo Horizonte, died after an explosion at the site on Tuesday morning, the 15th. The victims were working in a warehouse when a small fire, whose origin is still unknown, spread rapidly, causing the explosion. The Civil Police have opened an investigation to determine the causes of the accident and any potential culprits. Experts from the Fire Department and the Army, as well as inspectors from the Labor Prosecutor's Office, were also at the scene.
Alex Rodrigues, from Agência Brasil - Four employees of a fireworks factory in Santo Antônio do Monte, about 180 kilometers from Belo Horizonte, died after an explosion at the site this morning (15). An employee hit by shrapnel was taken with minor injuries to a public health unit in the municipality and is under observation.
The factory belongs to the company Fogos Globo. According to the Military Police, the victims were working in a shed when the explosion occurred. They were finishing preparing some lipstick-sized fireworks, known as number 4 fireworks, which, once completed, would be stored in a plastic box. A small fire, whose origin is still unknown, spread rapidly, causing the explosion.
The Civil Police have opened an investigation to determine the causes of the accident and any potential responsible parties. Experts from the Fire Department and the Army, as well as inspectors from the Labor Prosecutor's Office (MPT), were also present at the scene. The responsibility for authorizing and overseeing activities involving the handling of gunpowder lies with the Army, which has ordered the factory to be shut down until the accident is clarified.
According to the coordinator of the Union of Explosives Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (Sindiemg), Américo Libério da Silva, the accident was a "fatality." "The company is unionized, has been operating for many years, has licenses from the Army, the city hall, the Fire Department, and all other responsible agencies. Furthermore, it is constantly inspected, as the Army inspection post is only 3 kilometers away. Besides that, there are frequent visits from labor inspectors," Silva told Agência Brasil.
According to the coordinator, the injured employee will be interviewed as soon as he recovers, to help the company identify the cause of the accident and review procedures, if necessary.
According to Silva, 179 fireworks and gunpowder factories operate across the eight cities that make up the so-called Pyrotechnic Industrial Hub in the Central-West region of Minas Gerais. Of these, 47 are located in Santo Antônio do Monte. Silva assures that the companies observe all safety regulations in the sector and invest in ensuring the safety of workers and the public, as well as the quality of their products. The last fatal accident occurred in September 2013, at another factory.