Truck explosion in Chile’s capital kills four, injures 17
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SANTIAGO, Chile – At least four people were killed when a truck transporting liquid gas in Chile’s capital Santiago overturned and exploded, the authorities said on Feb 19.
Another 17 people were injured, a police chief told reporters at a press conference, saying the driver of the truck had lost control and crashed.
The authorities said the truck driver was among those who died in the incident.
The prosecutor's office is investigating what led up to the accident. The truck was affiliated with local gas company Gasco.
Gasco did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.
Videos on social media showed flames pluming at the site of the explosion. The accident happened in the northern Santiago commune of Renca, near a major highway and an industrial area.
The explosion was felt within a radius of about 150m to 200m and damaged at least 50 vehicles, according to firefighters.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric said some debris flew into three businesses, but so far there were no reports of further widespread damage.
Five people were reportedly in serious condition, according to Governor Claudio Orrego of the Santiago metropolitan region.
“One has burns covering 100 per cent of their body with imminent risk to their life,” Mr Orrego said. REUTERS
