Global Courant
It happened in Clorinda, on the border with Paraguay, and the fire, according to witnesses, reached 20 meters in height. So far no victims have been reported.
A clandestine fuel depot in the city of Clorinda, on the border between Formosa and Paraguay, presented a series of explosions this Saturday night and later a large-scale fire, with flames that reached 20 meters in height, according to witnesses. .
In videos that quickly went viral on social networks, it was possible to see the magnitude of the incident and the fear of the people who were watching it up close in the 25 de Mayo neighborhood, on the banks of the Pilcomayo River, in front of the Paraguayan city of Nanawa.
According to local media, and others from Paraguay, drums, tanks and fuel distribution vehicles that were inside the clandestine deposit exploded.
ABC de Paraguay, punctually, assured that “the place is located in a clandestine pedestrian crossing area, through which a large amount of contraband would enter our country and there are several businesses on the Paraguayan side.”
“Those responsible for the service stations that sell clandestinely and the officials of the security forces who are accomplices and responsible for what happens march in prison,” was one of the comments that was read on the social networks of the media and journalists. locals that reflected the news.
“It was a matter of time” or “It is in the hands of the authorities to end this. And they don’t care”, were other messages that circulated on the web.
“There are many clandestine deposits”
Alejandra Olmedo, a neighbor of Clorinda who was six blocks from the place where the explosions occurred, assured in statements to TN that “there are many clandestine fuel depots around the city and there are border crossings where there are no Customs, Immigration, Gendarmerie nor Prefecture”.
“Recently, the fuel goes directly to the border, where there are very large cisterns or horizontal plastic tanks of more than 1,000 liters and fuel depots located in the middle of the urbanization,” he described.
At the same time, he recalled that “this is not the first time that such an event has occurred” because “in this same neighborhood last year two people died who were sleeping in a box guarding the fuel.”
On the other hand, he explained the reason for fuel smuggling between Clorinda and the border cities of Paraguay. “Super gasoline in Paraguay would be worth around $525 a liter and in Argentina it sells for $267 a liter, which is equivalent to almost a $260 difference. Normal Diesel in Paraguay costs approximately $585 a liter, while here it is $360,” he described.
“It is cheaper for Paraguayans to buy and carry this way. The one who transports and crosses in Clorinda is in danger, but also on the other side ”, he remarked.
And he added: “The fuel tanks are in sight. People work like this because they have no other options.”
“The exchange difference is so great and the need is so great that those who are not part of the 70 percent of public employees of Insfrán have to resort to this type of activities that are dangerous as the only option to survive,” he said, in a criticism not only of the provincial governor but also of the mayor, Manuel Celauro. that he seeks his fourth re-election.
Finally, he indicated: “There were no victims and we are thanking God, because if we have to thank the authorities and the prevention policies that exist in this regard, we cannot do it.”
ES
