AHORA: el Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santiago responde con voluntarios y máquinas de 14 Compañías ante 3ª Alarma de #Incendio en fabrica, en Camino Lo Ruiz y Av. Eduardo Freí Montalva, en la comuna de #Renca. Video @chilevision@Comandantecbs @munirenca pic.twitter.com/IG1z98QGV3— Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santiago (@cbsantiago) February 19, 2026
A truck carrying liquefied gas exploded Thursday on a major highway in Santiago, Chile, leaving four people dead and at least 16 injured, authorities said. The blast followed a crash involving the truck during morning traffic in the capital.
Chile’s national police force, Carabineros, said the driver lost control of the vehicle around 8:20 a.m. local time for reasons still under investigation, striking highway barriers before the explosion.
“Due to the flammable material the truck was carrying, an explosion occurred whose impact caused seven passenger vehicles traveling on the same road to catch fire. Other vehicles alongside the highway were also reached by the flames,” Carabineros Gen. Victor Vielma said.
Imágenes del instante en que se genera la explosión del camión de gas con posterior propagación a empresa, vehículos estacionados y vehículos en Autopista, al momento reportan 10 fallecidos y varias personas quemadas, máxima precaución en el sector @biobio @chile_accidente pic.twitter.com/JmVLve9uqK— IEC-180 CONTROL STGO (@fdo2000) February 19, 2026
Presidential delegate Gonzalo Duran confirmed the toll at four fatalities and 16 injured people with varying degrees of severity. Two remain in critical condition, he said during a press briefing.
Authorities reported the fire involving the overturned truck is now under control. Chile’s national fire service remains focused on cooling the vehicle to prevent further detonations.
The accident occurred at the junction of the General Velasquez expressway and Route 5 North, one of Santiago’s busiest highways. Traffic was heavy at the time, shortly before the start of the workday.
Rodrigo Espinoza, commander of the Quilicura Fire Department, said the explosion spread across a radius of about 150 to 200 meters, affecting roughly 50 vehicles.
Local media reported that many drivers abandoned their cars and fled on foot as flames spread. Several suffered minor burns and received treatment at nearby medical centers.
The fire also reached another truck traveling in the opposite direction, a nearby vehicle storage lot, a freight train passing through the area and facilities belonging to two nearby companies.
Witness videos circulating on social media captured the moment of the explosion, Radio BioBio reported. Some witnesses said they first heard a loud blast, followed by a large white cloud and then a “fireball that followed the cars.”
