Santiago Mellado, the 63 year old director of the Jucar Water Confederation, was released from Villajoyosa Hospital yesterday  after spending the better part of a week in intensive care. According to his family, Mr Mellado is fully recovered after inhaling toxic fumes at a new raw sewage treatment plant in the town (photo). He is the second of the seriously affected men to be released following the release of Juan Escoto earlier this week. However, Aitor Sarriugarte, who was also severely affected by the fumes, died as a result of his injuries.
 
Sewage plant inspector dies
By: valencialife.net
Tuesday, July 25, 2006

It was revealed yesterday that Aitor Sarriugarte, a 34 year old technician, and the first to enter the raw sewage treatment plant in Villajoyosa, only to be overcome by gas fumes, has died as a result of the incident.

He never regained consciousness, and although being transferred to a specialised hospital outside Madrid, his system was unable to withstand the damage it had suffered.

Meanwhile investigators are still trying to establish what caused the leak after local trades unions stated on Saturday that the equipment in the plant lacked security mechanisms.

Injured sewage plant inspectors still 'very serious'
By: valencialife.net
Friday, July 21, 2006

The condition of the three technicians who inhaled hydrogen sulphide gas when they were inspecting a plant in Villajoyosa still remains extremely serious, according to a statement released by Villajoyosa Hospital yesterday.

All three require assistance breathing, and one of the three -Aitor Sarriugarte, the 34 year old  responsible for the company that was building the plant-  remains in a critical state, with serious respiratory problems, in the reanimation unit, whilst the other two -Juan Escoto and Santiago Mellado´- are in a similar state in intensive care.

Inspectors gassed at new sewage plant
By: valencialife.net
Thursday, July 20, 2006

Three technicians were in Villajoyosa Hospital in a serious condition last night after a leak of hydrogen sulphide gas caused them to fall to the ground unconscious as they were inspecting a raw sewage treatment plant. The three were named as Santiago Mellado, the director of works for the Segura Water Confederation, Juan Escoto of the Payma-Cotas company and Aitor Jurriugarte of the Ferrovial-Pridesa company. 

Firemen were called to the scene with breathing equipment some ten minutes after the men failed to emerge from one of the rooms in the plant that was set to be officially inaugurated by Environment minister Cristina Narbona some time later this week. An enquiry has been launched into how the lethal gas managed to escape, and the official ceremonies have been postponed until the causes of the leak have been established.