Three missing, three injured in explosion at Spain fireworks factory

An ambulance is seen in the foreground as smoke rises from the Pirotecnia Zaragozana pyrotechnics company after an explosion, in Zaragoza, Spain, on Aug 31, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

MADRID (AFP) - Three people were injured and three were missing following an explosion on Monday at a fireworks factory in northeastern Spain, local authorities said.

One of the injured in the blast at the factory near Zaragoza airport is in serious condition, a spokesman for the regional government of Aragon said. The cause of the explosion was unknown, he added.

Spanish television images showed plumes of smoke rose from warehouses at the factory.

"Firefighters are at the scene and there are still small explosions going off," a spokesman for the fire service said.

The Pirotecnia Zaragozana factory employs around 40 people.

August is a busy time for fireworks factories in Spain as many small towns celebrate religious festivals at this time of year with fireworks shows.

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