Explosion at cement depot kills lorry driver

PALMA
A 42-year-old worker was killed yesterday morning after an explosion at the cement silos on the Dique del Oeste (West Docks) in Palma.
The Guardia Civil were called and an investigation began immediately into the cause of the accident. The family of Julian Maimo Tarraga rushed to the scene and were given psychological counselling. According to an initial analysis, the accident occurred at around 8.30am. Maimo was a Majorcan-born lorry driver who was contracted to deliver powdered cement for one of th two companies which have the franchise on the cement silos. He parked his lorry alongside one of the silos and started to prepare the container tank of the vehicle to receive its load of powdered cement. However, when he opened the hatchway, an explosion occurred because the air inside was highly pressurised.

According to witnesses and Guardia Civil sources, the force of the explosion threw the victim 15 metres into the air and he fell to the ground badly injured. The scene was attended by Emergency services - police, ambulance and firemen - but the driver later died of his injuries.