2020 Villa El Salvador explosion

On January 23, 2020, around 6:50 a.m. local time (UTC-5),{{cite web|title=Cámara captó los momentos de la tragedia en Villa El Salvador (del minuto 21:47 al minuto 25:52)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cMGIste2Hk&feature=youtu.be&t=1307|publisher=ATV|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020|language=es}} a tanker truck of gas from the private company Transgas suffered an accident on Mariano Pastor Revilla Avenue, known as Route C in Villa el Salvador, district of Lima. According to the video of a security camera in the area,{{cite news |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/explosion-villa-salvador-camara-registro-momento-exacto-accidente-camion-n403255 |title=Explosión en Villa El Salvador: Cámara registró momento exacto de accidente de camión |newspaper=Canal N |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date=January 24, 2020|language=es}} the truck was traveling along the avenue, until it reached the intersection with Villa del Mar Avenue, which had a slope. When trying to pass through this, the truck hit the slope strongly, which caused a break in a valve that was at the bottom of the truck. Because of this, the LPG contained in the truck began to escape from the tank in a matter of minutes, expanding by about 250 meters. The truck driver got off and tried to repair and close the valve without success, so he started yelling at people to get away from the scene.{{cite news |url=https://enlinea.pe/2020/01/23/salgan-el-camion-va-a-explotar-asi-reacciono-chofer-antes-de-incendio-en-villa-el-salvador/ |title="Salgan, el camión va a explotar": Así reaccionó chofer antes de incendio en Villa El Salvador |newspaper= Enlinea.pe |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} After the expansion of the gas by a block, there was a deflagration caused by a small spark that was advancing until it reached the tank truck. As a result, one person died instantly and several were injured, in addition to causing several fires throughout that block.{{cite news |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/explosion-villa-salvador-recuento-video-tragedia-n403289 |title=Explosión en Villa El Salvador: El recuento en video de la tragedia |newspaper=Canal N |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} Many of the injured were very close to the gas leak or sleeping in their homes. The lack of information on how to act in situations of this kind caused people not to worry too much about the fact until a few seconds before the deflagration, which contributed to the large number of people injured.{{cite web|url=https://elcomercio.pe/lima/sucesos/villa-el-salvador-los-errores-que-trajeron-la-muerte-y-el-dolor-a-un-barrio-informe-noticia/|title=Villa El Salvador: los errores que trajeron la muerte y el dolor a un barrio [INFORME]|date=January 24, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020|website=El Comercio|language=es}}

More than 15 units of firefighters moved to the area of the event. The consequent fires were classified by the Fire Department as code 3 (out of control).{{cite news |url=https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/camion-cisterna-explota-y-provoca-incendio-de-al-menos-una-casa-en-villa-el-salvador-noticia-1241224 |title=Al menos dos muertos y 48 heridos tras deflagración por fuga de gas de un camión cisterna en Villa El Salvador |newspaper=RPP Noticias |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} More than 50 people were transferred to the Emergency Hospital of Villa El Salvador,{{cite news |url=https://peru21.pe/lima/villa-el-salvador-camion-cisterna-choca-contra-casas-y-ocasiona-incendio-de-grandes-proporciones-video-incendio-en-ves-noticia/ |title=Incendio en VES: 8 muertos y 50 heridos deja incendio por deflagración de gas líquido en camión cisterna. |newspaper=Perú.21 |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date=January 24, 2020|language=es}} which collapsed in the face of the number of injured, finally referring them to various hospitals in the capital.{{cite news |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/explosion-ves-heridos-son-trasladados-helicopteros-otros-hospitales-n403242 |title=Explosión en VES: Heridos son trasladados en helicópteros a otros hospitales |newspaper=Canal N |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} With the passing of the hours, 8 people died, including 2 minors.{{cite news |url=https://rpp.pe/peru/actualidad/villa-el-salvador-se-eleva-a-21-la-cifra-de-muertos-por-la-deflagracion-noticia-1242748 |title=Tragedia en Villa El Salvador: Se eleva a 21 la cifra de muertos por la deflagración |newspaper=RPP Noticias |date=January 30, 2020 |access-date=January 31, 2020|language=es}}{{cite news |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2020/01/25/incendio-en-villa-el-salvador-murio-joven-embarazada-explosion-camion-cisterna/ |title=Murió joven embarazada que quedó grave tras incendio en Villa El Salvador |newspaper=La República |date=January 25, 2020|access-date=January 25, 2020|language=es}} 20 homes were affected and several vehicles ended up burned.{{cite news |url=https://rpp.pe/lima/accidentes/villa-el-salvador-asi-quedaron-las-calles-y-vehiculos-tras-la-explosion-del-camion-cisterna-de-gas-fotos-noticia-1241293 |title=Villa El Salvador: Así quedaron las calles y vehículos tras la explosión del camión cisterna de gas [FOTOS] |newspaper=RPP Noticias |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} Several families were left homeless. The Minister of Health, Elizabeth Hinostroza, said the majority of the injured are in critical condition, so the number of deaths could increase with the passing of the hours.{{cite news |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/ministra-salud-mas-50-heridos-esta-condicion-muy-critica-n403253 |title=Ministra de Salud: Más de la mitad de heridos está en condición muy crítica |newspaper=Canal N |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} While the director of the Emergency Hospital of Villa El Salvador, Carlos León, said that the majority of the injured presented between 70% and 80% of the body burned.{{cite news |url=https://peru21.pe/lima/incendio-en-villa-el-salvador-la-mayoria-de-los-heridos-presentan-entre-el-70-y-80-del-cuerpo-quemado-dice-director-del-hospital-de-emergencia-noticia/?ref=p21r |title=Incendio en VES: La mayoría de los heridos presentan entre el 70% y 80% del cuerpo quemado [VIDEO] |newspaper=Perú.21 |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date=January 24, 2020|language=es}} On the other hand, the municipality of Villa El Salvador closed the premises of the Transgas company after the incident occurred.{{cite news |url=https://diariocorreo.pe/edicion/lima/incendio-en-villa-el-salvador-clausuran-local-de-empresa-transgas-luis-guzman-palomino-video-nndc-noticia/ |title=Incendio en VES: clausuran local de empresa Transgas por no tener licencia de funcionamiento (VIDEO) |newspaper=Diario Correo |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}}

The truck driver, who also suffered burns and was initially considered deceased, was detained at the police station in Villa El Salvador.{{cite news |url=https://www.andina.pe/agencia/noticia-villa-salvador-conductor-camion-origino-tragedia-da-su-testimonio-782558.aspx |title=Villa El Salvador: conductor de camión que originó tragedia da su testimonio |newspaper=Andina |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}}

Hours later, while the Firemen were still working in the area, there was a new gas leak very close to the scene. This incident was quickly resolved without serious incident.{{cite web |url=https://rpp.pe/lima/actualidad/ves-fuga-de-gas-cerca-de-zona-donde-exploto-camion-cisterna-genero-alarma-entre-los-vecinos-de-villa-el-salvador-video-noticia-1241428 |title=Fuga de gas cerca de zona donde se produjo deflagración generó alarma entre los vecinos de VES |newspaper=RPP Noticias |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}}

The National Police of Peru are conducting investigations to determine fault.

• The President of the Republic Martín Vizcarra during a trip to Trujillo said it was "a tragedy and that the causes must be investigated."{{cite web |url=https://rpp.pe/lima/accidentes/villa-el-salvador-martin-vizcarra-sobre-explosion-es-una-tragedia-hay-que-investigar-las-causas-noticia-1241296 |title=Martín Vizcarra sobre explosión en Villa el Salvador "Es una tragedia, hay que investigar las causas" |website=RPP Noticias |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}}
• After the fact, the authorities asked citizens for blood donation support, which eventually exceeded the necessary amount of donations.{{cite news |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2020/01/24/incendio-en-villa-el-salvador-cientos-de-personas-acudieron-a-donar-sangre-al-insn-para-victimas/ |title=Cientos de personas acudieron a donar sangre al INSN para víctimas de incendio en VES [VIDEO] |newspaper=La República |date=January 23, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020|language=es}}{{cite news |url=https://ojo.pe/actualidad/incendio-en-villa-el-salvador-80-policias-donan-sangre-para-las-personas-afectadas-por-el-fuego-video-nndc-noticia/?ref=ojr |title=Explosión en Villa El Salvador: policías, militares, bomberos y ciudadanos donan sangre a las víctimas|newspaper=Diario Ojo |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} In addition, various people, institutions and companies organized to support the victims with food, clothing and hygiene products.{{cite news |url=https://larepublica.pe/sociedad/2020/01/24/incendio-en-villa-el-salvador-vecinos-dan-la-mano-con-desayuno-y-ropas-a-los-afectados-minsa-camion-cisterna-mdga/ |title=Incendio en Villa El Salvador: vecinos dan la mano con desayuno y ropas a los afectados |newspaper=La República |date=January 23, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020|language=es}} Also, various veterinarians helped care for affected pets.{{cite news |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/explosion-villa-salvador-ayudan-perros-afectados-siniestro-n403251 |title=Explosión en Villa El Salvador: Ayudan a perros afectados por el siniestro |newspaper=Canal N |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}}
• The mayor of Villa el Salvador, Kevin Yñigo, came to the affected area to obtain data on the damage caused, where he stated, in reference to the poor state of the road, that the work had been executed in the previous management.{{cite news |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/alcalde-ves-sobre-explosion-obra-ha-sido-hecha-anterior-gestion-n403219 |title=Alcalde de VES tras explosión: La obra ha sido hecha por la anterior gestión |newspaper=Canal N |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} However, he retired quickly.{{cite news |url=https://diariocorreo.pe/edicion/lima/alcalde-kevin-inigo-huyo-de-la-zona-de-explosion-ante-la-indignacion-de-los-vecinos-noticia/ |title=Alcalde Kevin Iñigo huyó de la zona de explosión ante la indignación de los vecinos |newspaper=Diario Correo |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}}
• The mayor of Lima, Jorge Muñoz Wells, arrived at night in the affected area, where he declared that "the cistern was not conditions to transport gas."{{cite news |url=https://canaln.pe/actualidad/jorge-munoz-sobre-incendio-villa-salvador-cisterna-no-tenia-condiciones-transportar-gas-n403300 |title=Muñoz sobre incendio en VES: "Cisterna no tenía condiciones para transportar gas" |newspaper=Canal N |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}} Later, on Twitter he sent condolences to the families of the deceased.
• On Facebook, the Safety Check tool was activated during the emergency.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JorgeMunozAP/status/1220437582309478407?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet|title= Jorge Muñoz en Twitter|publisher=Twitter|access-date=January 24, 2020|language=es}}
• The cumbia group Armonía 10 canceled the concert scheduled in that district and encouraged citizens to support blood donations.{{cite news |url=https://rpp.pe/musica/conciertos/villa-el-salvador-armonia-10-cancela-concierto-tras-la-emergencia-por-explosion-de-un-camion-cisterna-noticia-1241372 |title=Armonía 10 cancela concierto tras la emergencia por explosión de un camión cisterna en Villa El Salvador |newspaper=RPP Noticias |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date= January 24, 2020|language=es}}

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Category:2020 in Peru

Category:Road incidents in Peru

Category:Explosions in 2020

Category:Explosions in South America

Category:Villa El Salvador District