An explosion involving a gas truck in Santiago, Chile, on Thursday resulted in the tragic deaths of at least four individuals, while fifteen others sustained injuries. The incident occurred around 8:00 AM local time when the driver lost control of the vehicle in the outskirts of Renca, colliding with a guardrail. The explosion took place at the intersection of Chile’s most crucial highway, Route 5, with secondary roads, igniting a significant fire that engulfed seven other vehicles in the vicinity.

Witnesses reported a massive plume of smoke rising into the sky, which was visible from various locations across the capital. Claudio Orrego, the governor of the Metropolitan Region, stated that initial investigations suggest the cause may have been a leak from a valve on the truck, leading to a spark that triggered a catastrophe within a cloud of gas. The overwhelming nature of the explosion created panic and chaos, as people nearby scrambled to escape the flames and billowing smoke.

In addition to the immediate destruction, police officials, including General Víctor Vielma, indicated that the explosion had also impacted vehicles inside an adjacent area and damaged a nearby dome structure. As emergency crews worked to assess the situation and aid the victims, the event highlighted ongoing safety concerns regarding the transport of hazardous materials through densely populated urban areas like Santiago.