Nitric acid leak emergency protocols were activated in Barcelona’s Montjuïc area this Tuesday morning after a significant chemical spill at the Botanical Garden.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The incident occurred when a watering system pipe ruptured, releasing approximately 1,000 litres of nitric acid and prompting immediate safety measures across the affected zone.
According to municipal sources speaking to local media, the leak happened around midday when a supply truck was connecting hoses to a water deposit enriched with the chemical for irrigation purposes. Consequently, Barcelona Firefighters established a security perimeter and activated the dangerous goods accident alert protocol.
Nitric acid leak containment measures implemented
Emergency services quickly contained the spilled acid, which had accumulated in a large puddle. Furthermore, preventive confinement measures were implemented for two educational facilities and a care home due to concerns about toxic gas dispersion in windy conditions.
The Barcelona City Council confirmed that Tres Pins school and care home, along with the Aspace Catalunya special education foundation school, were placed under temporary confinement around 1pm. Meanwhile, the truck operator involved in the incident sustained minor injuries and received medical attention.
This nitric acid leak incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing hazardous materials in urban environments. Additionally, it demonstrates the effectiveness of Barcelona’s emergency response coordination between different municipal services.
The Botanical Garden receives these specialised chemical deliveries twice yearly for maintenance of its plant collections. Therefore, authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the pipe failure to prevent similar incidents occurring in future.
Join our WhatsApp broadcast channel for instant news updates!
