Date: July 27, 2023
Location: Palotina, Paraná (Brazil)
Address: Av. Independencia 2347, 85950–000
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Grain Silo
Company: C.Vale Cooperative
Database Incidents: None Reported
Loss: Ten Dead, Ten Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, C.Vale is a Brazilian agricultural cooperative based in the state of Paraná. Founded in 1963, it operates in various sectors including grains, poultry, swine, and dairy production, as well as other agro-industrial activities.
Incident Description:
On July 27, 2023, Powder & Bulk Solids reported a series of explosions at an agricultural cooperative in Palotina, Brazil.
A series of explosions at a grain silo at the cooperative led to the death of at least eight individuals, with one person missing and 11 others injured. Videos circulating on social and traditional media displayed a massive column of white smoke emanating from the location. Residents of Palotina experienced a tremor, with windows in multiple residences shattered by the force of the blast.
A spokesman for the Parana fire brigade explained that the disaster involved a series of explosions, stating, “There was an explosion in one of the silos that triggered a second and a third.”
In response to the catastrophe, numerous firefighters were dispatched overnight to the town. A fire department official revealed that search dogs were aiding in the quest for a missing worker, who might be trapped under a mound of grains.
Research Team Update:
On June 17, 2024 the loss for this incident was updated to 10 killed and 10 injured based on information received from local sources in Brazil.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Al Jazeera
