A cyclist passed in front of a house in the canton of La Libertad, in Parramos, Chimaltenangowhen a loud detonation forced him to accelerate his march. Seconds later, sheets were expelled into the air, flames consumed part of the building and a dense curtain of white smoke covered the area, while neighbors ran to safety.
The emergency occurred in a home which worked like artisanal rocket factory. Firefighters reported that several people were injured and were taken to care centers, some with burns, nervous breakdowns and possible fractures. No deaths were reported.
During the program Direct Impactof Guatevisionanalysts addressed the explosion recorded in a rocket factory in Parramos, Chimaltenango, and pointed out failures in the supervision of these businesses, the handling of gunpowder, the lack of licenses, industrial safety conditions and the risks for neighbors and workers.
Explosion causes panic in Parramos
A cyclist passed in front of a house in the canton of La Libertad, in Parramos, Chimaltenangowhen a loud detonation forced him to accelerate his march. Seconds later, sheets were expelled into the air, flames consumed part of the building and a dense curtain of white smoke covered the area, while neighbors ran to safety.
The emergency occurred in a house that was functioning as artisanal rocket factory. Firefighters reported that several people were injured and were taken to care centers, some with burns, nervous breakdowns and possible fractures. No deaths were reported.
During Direct Impactanalysts pointed out that these cases show the need for permanent inspections. One of the experts indicated that in Guatemala there is usually a “reactive culture” and questioned whether the reviews are intensified only at certain times.
“There should be controls“, he stated, recalling that gunpowder is used throughout the year in family, religious, sports and community celebrations.
He also warned that the authorities must verify if these places have fire extinguisherssand, adequate storage areas and measures of industrial safety.
Gunpowder, licenses and child labor
Another point addressed was the way rocket factories obtain gunpowder. Another expert questioned: “How do these clandestine rocket factories obtain gunpowder?”.
The analyst added that the supply must be “controlled, regulated, licensed” and that gunpowder should not be sold to anyone without verifying the conditions for using and storing it.
The experts also mentioned the risk of child labor in these spaces. They pointed out that in some places “many times there is child labor”, while they warned that on social networks minors are observed manipulating materials to assemble rockets.
Risk for neighbors and workers
Analysts agreed that storing gunpowder in homes or unsuitable spaces represents a danger to those who work with the material and to people nearby.
“The gunpowder is an explosive material“It’s volatile,” said one of the guests, warning that many people do not appreciate the risk of having this type of material in homes or workshops without adequate conditions.
According to what is stated in the program, the explosion in Parramos once again brings into discussion the need for constant controls, licenses, labor supervision and basic prevention measures to avoid new emergencies.
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