Date: March 14, 2023
Location: Ponta Porã, Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil)
Address: BR-463, 79900-000
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Grain Dryer
Company: Coamo Agroindustrial Cooperativa
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Seven Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Coamo Agroindustrial Cooperativa is an agricultural cooperative headquartered in Campo Mourão, Brazil. It was founded in 1970 and has a presence in 74 municipalities in the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Mato Grosso do Sul. A team of 8,951 employees serves over 30,000 members.
Incident Description:
On March 13, 2023, Campo Grande News reported an explosion and fire at an agricultural cooperative in Ponta Porã, Brazil.
Workers noticed smoke coming out of a grain dryer at around 5:00 a.m. Following security protocol, they covered it and closed all entrances and exits, to prevent any possible fire from spreading.
Believing the problem had been resolved, they continued as normal, but at 10:00 a.m., more smoke appeared, this time in the shed where the soy residue was separated. According to the police report, this shed is connected to the dryer where the smoke had appeared at dawn.
Employees notified the fire department and wet the area down to control any fire. While they were waiting for firefighters to arrive, an explosion occurred, leaving seven employees with injuries: five suffered burns to 90% of the body. They were conveyed by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Two were discharged later that night while the other five remained in intensive care.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
Sources:
Campo Grande News
