MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Truck carrying liquefied gas explodes in Santiago, leaving at least four dead and 17 injured

The blast occurred at the junction of General Velásquez highway and Route 5, a key transport corridor in the metropolitan area

A tanker truck transporting liquefied gas overturned and exploded on Thursday in the Santiago district of Renca, in the capital’s northwest, killing at least four people and injuring 17, according to authorities and emergency services.

The blast occurred at the junction of General Velásquez highway and Route 5, a key transport corridor in the metropolitan area. Police said the driver lost control, struck safety barriers and rolled over, triggering the explosion and a major fire. The flames hit vehicles traveling at the time, and firefighters said the impact was felt within an estimated 150–200 meter radius, with at least 50 vehicles reported damaged nearby.

#19Feb | Así fue el momento en que un camión que transportaba gas pierde el control causando una gran explosión en Chile.

En el accidente al menos cuatro personas perdieron la vida y 17 resultaron heridas, según confirmaron autoridades locales.

Video: @t13envivo pic.twitter.com/b5WBgcqEWi

— Caraota Digital (@CaraotaDigital) February 19, 2026

Firefighters and police mounted a large-scale operation to contain the blaze and secure the area amid concerns about a secondary explosion linked to remaining cargo in the tanker. Authorities also warned about heavy smoke and traffic closures around the incident site.

President Gabriel Boric, speaking from Rapa Nui, said government teams were deployed with relevant institutions “to protect the population due to the smoke in the area,” and he offered condolences to the families of the victims. “We will keep following this,” he added.

Santiago Metropolitan Governor Claudio Orrego said at least five people were in serious condition. “One has burns covering 100% of their body with imminent risk to their life,” he said, describing one of the most critical cases.

Prosecutors opened an investigation to establish the causes of the crash. Local reporting cited preliminary hypotheses ranging from loss of control to a potential failure involving the tanker’s load, as investigators review CCTV footage and forensic findings at the scene.