Gas tanker overturns and explodes on Renca highway in Santiago Chile killing four people and injuring seventeen motorists in massive fireball

What began as an ordinary Thursday on a busy highway in Santiago ended in horror.

A tanker truck carrying liquid gas overturned in the northern commune of Renca and exploded in a thunderous blast that could be felt hundreds of feet away.

Within seconds, the roadway disappeared behind a towering gray cloud.

Social media videos captured the chilling moment the gas spread across the highway, swallowing lanes of traffic before igniting into a raging inferno.

Drivers scrambled in panic, attempting desperate U-turns and reversing away from danger as flames erupted.

By the time the smoke settled, at least four people — including the truck driver — were dead. Seventeen others were injured.

The Explosion That Shocked a City

The tanker belonged to Gasco, a major gas distributor in Chile.

Authorities confirmed the vehicle was transporting liquid gas when it flipped, triggering the catastrophic explosion.

Firefighters later revealed the blast radius extended roughly 150 to 200 meters — powerful enough to obliterate at least 50 vehicles.

Metal debris was hurled into nearby businesses, scattering wreckage across an industrial stretch of Renca.

Emergency crews rushed to contain the flames as thick smoke hovered above the highway.

Footage from multiple angles showed responders battling the blaze amid twisted metal and charred vehicles.

Lives Lost and Families Shattered

Local police confirmed four fatalities. Among the 17 injured, five remain in critical condition.

According to Claudio Orrego, governor of the Santiago metropolitan region, one victim suffered burns over 100 percent of their body and is fighting for survival.

The emotional weight of that detail has resonated across the country.

Chile’s president, Gabriel Boric, addressed the incident and confirmed that while debris reached nearby businesses, no additional structural damage beyond the immediate explosion zone was reported.

Panic Caught on Camera

The most haunting images may be the ones filmed by motorists themselves.

In less than 30 seconds, the gray gas cloud thickened, swallowing the entire roadway.

Drivers are seen honking, reversing, and trying to escape as visibility vanishes.

Hazardous materials incidents like this are particularly terrifying because they unfold so quickly.

Liquid gas is highly volatile; once released, it can vaporize and spread rapidly before ignition, creating precisely the kind of rolling fireball seen in the footage.

Experts say tanker crashes involving liquefied petroleum gas can result in what’s known as a BLEVE — a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion — which can devastate everything within its path.

An Ongoing Investigation

Authorities have launched a full investigation into what caused the tanker to overturn. Questions remain about road conditions, vehicle maintenance, and whether any mechanical failure or driver error contributed to the crash.

Gasco has not yet released a detailed public statement regarding liability, though cooperation with investigators is expected.

In Chile, hazardous material transport is tightly regulated, particularly in urban areas like Santiago.

However, enforcement challenges and heavy traffic congestion can complicate safety measures.

A Country Already on Edge

The tragedy comes barely a month after Chile faced another disaster.

In mid-January 2026, wildfires tore through the Ñuble and Biobío regions, killing 18 people and forcing the evacuation of roughly 50,000 residents.

President Gabriel Boric declared a state of emergency as nearly 4,000 firefighters battled flames fueled by scorching temperatures and strong winds.

The fires burned more than 21,000 acres over two days, leaving communities reeling.

For many Chileans, this latest explosion feels like another blow in an already difficult season.

Messages of Grief and Gratitude

Tributes quickly flooded social media platform X. Strangers offered condolences, prayers, and words of solidarity for the victims’ families.

Many expressed gratitude to first responders who entered an active hazardous materials zone to extinguish flames and rescue survivors.

“Incidents involving hazardous materials are always terrifying,” one user wrote.

“Grateful to the first responders handling such a dangerous scene.”

The Human Cost of Industrial Risk

Chile’s economy relies heavily on industrial transport, mining, and energy distribution. With that comes risk.

Tanker trucks carrying flammable substances frequently travel through metropolitan corridors.

While major explosions are rare, when they occur, they expose the thin margin between routine commerce and catastrophe.

Safety advocates are likely to renew calls for stricter oversight of hazardous material routes through densely populated areas.

What’s Next?

Investigators will analyze crash data, mechanical records, and driver history to determine exactly what went wrong.

Depending on findings, regulatory changes or legal action could follow.

Victims’ families may pursue compensation claims, particularly if negligence is established.

Meanwhile, medical teams continue fighting to save the critically injured.

Support services are expected to be offered to families and witnesses who experienced the traumatic event firsthand.

For Santiago residents, the charred stretch of highway in Renca will stand as a stark reminder of how quickly normal life can erupt into chaos.

Summary

A gas tanker transporting liquid fuel overturned and exploded in the Renca commune of Santiago, killing four people, including the driver, and injuring 17 others.

The tanker, owned by Gasco, triggered a massive fireball that destroyed at least 50 vehicles and sent debris into nearby businesses.

Five victims remain in critical condition.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The tragedy comes just weeks after deadly wildfires struck southern Chile, compounding a difficult period for the country.