A tragic accident occurred on the Fernão Dias highway in Lavras, MG, resulting in the death of a 69-year-old driver. The incident involved three trucks—one of which was carrying argon gas—and a bus. Early reports indicate that the accident happened around 7 AM on Friday (13th) at kilometer 700. Eyewitness footage circulating on social media shows gas escaping onto the highway, raising concerns about safety in the area.

According to the Federal Highway Police, the chaos began when one truck overturned on the road, causing a traffic jam. In this gridlock, a second truck carrying argon gas stopped at the end of the line, just prior to a bus, which was following it. The situation worsened when a third truck failed to stop in time, colliding with the rear of the bus and exacerbating the accident's impact, which ultimately led to one fatality.

While argon gas is commonly used in industry and is considered non-reactive, it poses hazards in enclosed spaces due to potential asphyxiation risks. Authorities are investigating the circumstances around the accident, including the response to the gas leak and traffic safety measures on the Fernão Dias highway, which is a critical transportation route in Brazil. The incident raises important questions about road safety and the precautions necessary to handle hazardous materials on public highways.