One killed as explosion rocks Colombia fireworks factory

This handout picture released by the Soacha Mayor’s office shows firefighters working after an explosion at a gunpowder factory in Soacha, south of Bogota, on May 22, 2024. – At least one woman was killed and 29 people were injured Wednesday in an explosion at a gunpowder and fireworks factory in the Colombian municipality of Soacha, neighbouring the capital Bogota, authorities said. (Photo by Handout / Soacha Mayor’s office / AFP) /

At least one person was killed and 33 were injured in a powerful explosion at a gunpowder and fireworks factory on the outskirts of the Colombian capital Bogota, government officials said.

It was unclear what set off the explosion at the factory, Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan said on Wednesday.

Emergency medical personnel and firefighters swarmed the scene, while images on social media showed a huge column of greyish smoke rising above the industrial town of Soacha late in the afternoon.

The powerful blast also blew out the windows of nearby homes.

“Health authorities report 33 people injured and one woman who unfortunately died,” Juan Sanchez Perico, mayor of the Soacha municipality, wrote on social media platform X.

He said earlier that the injured, including two in critical condition, were transferred to four different area hospitals.

According to local media reports, the explosion rocked the factory, known as Pyrotechnic Cowboy, just before 4:38 pm (2138 GMT).

The mayor said about 150 factory workers were evacuated from the premises after the explosion.

The structure, a large site built into the mountainside, was still burning on Wednesday evening, according to aerial images released by the Soacha mayor’s office.