**Foreign Office Alerts Travellers as Chlorine Gas Cloud Sparks Safety Concerns in Catalonia**
The UK Foreign Office has issued an urgent update for Britons considering travel to Spain, following a major industrial incident near Barcelona that has led to hazardous air conditions. Tourists and locals alike have been warned to remain vigilant after a dramatic warehouse fire sent a toxic cloud of chlorine gas drifting across several coastal districts in Catalonia.
The cause of the health emergency was a blaze that broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning at a storage facility in the town of Vilanova i la Geltrú, located just south of the famed city of Barcelona. According to regional fire officials, the warehouse housed a significant stock of swimming pool cleaning chemicals, which includes dangerous substances such as chlorine, known for its corrosive and potentially lethal properties if inhaled in concentrated form.
Spanish authorities responded swiftly, urging more than 160,000 individuals across the affected area to seek shelter indoors. Residents were repeatedly advised to keep all windows and doors tightly shut while emergency services battled to bring the flames under control. The safety directive spread across at least five coastal municipalities, extending from Vilanova i la Geltrú down to Calafell, which lies near Tarragona.
Firefighters and civil protection personnel continue to monitor the evolving situation closely. At the time of reporting, there were no confirmed casualties. However, the authorities took the step of closing nearby roads and rail stations, aiming to prevent unnecessary travel into high-risk zones and safeguard the wider public. The regional Civil Protection Service used social media platforms to urge people to stay put, reminding both residents and visitors to remain watchful and prepared for further instructions.
The warehouse owner, Jorge Viñuales Alonso, revealed in a local radio interview that despite chlorine’s relatively low flammability, the fire was exceptionally challenging to extinguish. He suggested the initial ignition could have been triggered by a lithium battery present on-site, though investigations into the precise cause are ongoing.
As the emergency unfolded, large plumes of discoloured smoke were visible from kilometres away. Authorities continue to track the chemical composition and movement of the cloud, warning that shifts in the wind could change which districts are at risk. The possibility of reinstating the shelter-in-place order remains if fresh assessments show heightened dangers.
The Foreign Office updated its travel guidance on 10 May, highlighting the risks to visitors and encouraging anyone already in the region to heed advice from Spanish officials. British nationals in the area have been recommended to monitor updates from local news outlets and to comply immediately with any new safety measures announced by Catalan authorities.
Local fire services have deployed a significant number of units in their campaign to suppress the blaze and reduce the spread of hazardous material. While the main fire has since been contained, emergency crews continue to deal with the lingering environmental threat posed by the toxic gas.
This incident underscores the potential hazards posed by industrial accidents, especially in areas frequented by international tourists. Both travellers and the local community face ongoing uncertainty as they await news of when it will be safe to return to normal routines.
In the meantime, officials remain on high alert, prepared to implement fresh restrictions should air quality deteriorate further. The ongoing situation emphasises the importance of staying informed and following guidance during rapidly developing public safety crises abroad.