An accidental gas line puncture triggered a massive explosion in Remedios de Escalada, leaving one person dead and 30 injured.
Todo Noticias reported that the blast occurred at the intersection of Beltrán and Del Valle Iberlucea streets when a tunneling machine broke through a medium-pressure pipe during utility renovation work.
Municipal authorities confirmed that the resulting structural damage requires the demolition of the local deli where the blast originated. Claudio Arale, director of Civil Defense for Lanús, said that forensic teams are still working to establish the identity of the deceased individual, while prosecutors have ordered investigations involving the Scientific Police and the Buenos Aires Provincial Fire Department.
Crews Clamp the Damaged Pipe to Stop the Gas Leak
MetroGAS crews excavated pits at both ends of the damaged pipe to clamp the distribution network and eliminate the gas leak before firefighters could extinguish the flames.
infobae said that a preliminary timeline released by the utility shows the first emergency call regarding the gas odor logging at 9:44 a.m., followed by an on-site diagnosis at 10:04 a.m. and the subsequent explosion at approximately 10:50 a.m.
Claudio Arale said during a press conference. “There is a risk of collapse.”
Authorities have restricted access within a 100-meter radius, allowing residents to briefly enter with accompaniment to retrieve essential belongings before returning to safe zones. La Municipalidad de Lanús informó que los vecinos evacuados recibieron asistencia en el Club Atlético Talleres.
Authorities Investigate Protocol Omissions and Call for Accountability
Página|12 reported that Pedro Bussetti, president of the Association for the Defense of Users and Consumers (DEUCO), criticized the lack of immediate official communication from MetroGAS and the National Secretariat of Energy. Bussetti argued that the tragedy stemmed from protocol omissions rather than a simple accident.
La Nación reported that judicial sources confirmed two MetroGAS managers were taken to the Avellaneda-Lanús General Prosecutor’s Office for formal identification within the case file. The company maintained that no employees were detained and that it remains entirely at the disposal of judicial authorities conducting the investigation.
Meanwhile, the National Gas and Electricity Regulatory Ente announced it will conduct independent audits to deliver to investigators. The judicial inquiry, led by prosecutor Yanina Estévez of Functional Instruction Unit No. 6, continues to determine criminal responsibilities as forensic and structural evaluations proceed across the affected blocks.
Earlier coverage: Gas Explosión in Remedios de Escalada Leaves One Dead After Metrogas Pipe Rupture
