A devastating traffic accident involving a liquefied gas tanker has resulted in a powerful explosion on the General Velasquez highway in the Renca district of Santiago, Chile.
Operative Information Center-OMM, citing foreign media, reports that the tanker lost control, overturned, and collided with several other vehicles, triggering a massive blast and subsequent fire.
Local authorities confirmed that four people died at the scene as a result of the explosion. A total of 17 others sustained various injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities. The force of the blast caused seven vehicles on the highway to catch fire, leaving them completely destroyed.
Emergency services, including numerous firefighting teams and rescue brigades, were immediately dispatched to the site to contain the blaze and assist the victims. As part of security measures, the highway has been closed to traffic in both directions. Local law enforcement agencies have launched a large-scale investigation into the circumstances of the incident.
Chile's transportation infrastructure frequently faces challenges regarding the transit of hazardous materials through densely populated urban corridors. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding road safety and the regulation of heavy transport vehicles in the capital region. Santiago, the political and economic center of Chile, serves as a critical hub for the distribution of fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across the South American nation.
