Gas line explosion in Brazil kills 1, damages dozens of structures

A gas line explosion in Brazil’s largest city killed one person and injured three others, damaging at least 35 properties after construction crews struck a gas pipe, according to local officials.

The explosion happened at about 4:10 p.m. Monday in Jaguaré, a neighborhood in western São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. São Paulo’s Civil Defense said at least 35 properties were damaged.

Firefighters said a 45-year-old man was found dead under the rubble, while three other people were rescued or taken for medical care.

The explosion was linked to work being carried out by Sabesp, São Paulo’s water and sanitation company, which struck a gas line during construction, according to g1, citing officials.

“During the execution of the work, a gas pipeline was hit, at which point the activity was immediately stopped and the utility was called to adopt the appropriate technical protocols in its network,” Sabesp said in a statement.

Sabesp said the explosion happened while crews responsible for the gas system were working at the site. The company said the causes are being investigated by the companies involved and by authorities.

Firefighters said there was no longer a risk of another explosion after the gas company shut off the leak. Civil Defense teams were sent to the area to assist with the response and evaluate damage to nearby homes.

Images from the scene showed destroyed homes and firefighters working through debris. Emergency calls from residents reported that people may have been thrown by the force of the blast and that victims were trapped under rubble, according to g1.

Search dogs were sent to the scene to check whether there were more victims under the rubble.