Jean Victor Généus, the Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs informs that a series of explosions occurred this week in the 2nd largest agro-industrial cereal cooperative in Brazil, located in the State of Paraná (Southern Brazil) more precisely in the municipality of Palotina on the border with Argentina and Paraguay, caused 8 confirmed deaths, including 7 Haitian nationals.

In addition, the Paraná firefighters in a press release report 11 injured including 9 seriously "There was an explosion in the main cereal drying silo, which triggered a second and a third explosion in two others" declared Tiago Zajac, Spokesperson of the firefighters of Paraná.

At the time of the explosion, the victims were in a tunnel that connects different parts of the silo. The smoke caused by the fire was visible from several kilometers away and the windows of the houses near the cooperative were shattered...

A statement from C. Vale, owner of the Cooperative said that the causes of this incident have not yet been identified and are under investigation.

The Paraná Civil Police identified the Haitians among the deceased victims :

• Michelet LOUIS (41 years old)

• Jean Michée JOSEPH (29 years old)

• Jena Ronald CALIX (24 years old)

• Donald SAINT-CYR (30 years old)

• Reginald GERAD (53 years old)

• Eugene METELLUS

• Wicken CELESTIN (55 years old)

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs bows respectfully before the remains of these brave compatriots and presents, on behalf of the Haitian Government, its most heartfelt condolences to the members of their family, their friends and the entire Haitian community in Brazil.

The Chancellery salutes the diligence of the Brazilian authorities [...]"

The Embassy of Haiti in Brazil learned with sadness of the death of 7 Haitian workers and several injured in the explosion of an agro-industrial cooperative in Palotina "Our team is already mobilized to support families in this difficult time."

S/ HaitiLibre