3rd victim of explosion at plant in the interior of SP dies

Lázaro Tadeu da Silva, 62 years old, was hospitalized in serious condition in the ICU of Santa Casa de São José do Rio Pardo (SP). The accident occurred at the Itaiquara Plant on Friday (9).

Lázaro Tadeu da Silva, aged 62, died on Wednesday (14). He is the 3rd victim of the explosion at the Itaiquara Plant, in Tapiratiba (SP).

The accident occurred on Friday (9) during maintenance on a turbine. Two other workers, aged 43 and 54, also died.

The Tapiratiba Police Station investigates the causes of the incident and analyzes the factory's documentation. The company reported that it cooperates with the authorities.

The third victim of the explosion at Usina Itaiquara, a company that manufactures food and biological and chemical yeasts, in Tapiratiba (SP) died. The death was confirmed on Wednesday (14). The victim was identified as Lázaro Tadeu da Silva, aged 62.

The worker was hospitalized in serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Santa Casa de São José do Rio Pardo since Friday (9), the date of the accident. He underwent surgery, but did not survive his injuries.

The victim's body is at the Legal Medical Institute (IML) in São João da Boa Vista. The wake and burial will be held in Tapiratiba, on a date to be defined.

Two other workers died after the explosion. One of them died at the scene, while the other was rescued and taken to the hospital, but did not survive. The victims were identified as Vagner Anacleto Ferreira, aged 43, and Maurício Marques, aged 54. Two other workers were injured and are recovering.

On Tuesday (13), Itaiquara Alimentos published a note regretting the accident. The company reported that it is collaborating with authorities to clarify the circumstances of the explosion and that it is providing support to the families of the victims and impacted employees.

The case was registered as a suspicious death at the Tapiratiba Police Station, which is investigating the causes.

The accident happened around 7:30 am on Friday (9) at Usina Itaiquara, a company that manufactures biological and chemical foods and yeasts, special flours and ready-made mixes, and has been producing in the region for 100 years.

One of the victims died at the scene, and the other was taken to the city hospital, but did not survive. According to the city hall, the suspicion is that parts and debris hit the employees.

The workers who died were identified as welder Wagner Anacleto Ferreira and electrician Maurício Marques. The police did not disclose which of the victims died at the scene and which one was rescued, but also did not resist.

Three other people, two aged 62 and one aged 43, were injured and were rescued and taken to the emergency room at Santa Casa de São Lucas, in Tapiratiba, in serious condition. Four ambulances responded to the victims.

As reported by EPTV, a TV Globo affiliate, due to the severity, two injured people were transferred to hospital in São José do Rio Pardo and another to Mogi Mirim.

The Public Security Secretariat (SSP) reported that the victims were maintaining a turbine when the explosion occurred.

According to the delegate, Geovanna da Silva Gonçalves Oliveira, responsible for the investigations, it is still not possible to determine whether there was a mechanical failure in the turbine or human error. Technical expertise must clarify the causes of the accident.

She stated that shrapnel from the turbine hit the victims, but there is still no confirmation that an explosion occurred.

The delegate explained that the factory was on the third floor and that the turbine involved in the accident was used to remove impurities from the yeast, before it continued on to the next stages of the production process at Usina Itaiquara.

The investigation will also analyze the company's documentation to check whether there are any irregularities and possible liability.

According to the delegate, there is no set deadline for completing the Scientific Police reports.

'We express our deep regret for the serious accident that occurred at our facilities. We express our solidarity and our sincere feelings to the families of the victims, as well as our best wishes for recovery for the injured and support for all impacted employees.

We reaffirm that each employee is essential to the company and that we are making every effort to clarify the facts as quickly as possible, collaborating fully with the competent authorities and offering the necessary support to families and employees at this difficult time.'