Gas company tanker truck explosion caught on video in Brazil

Residents of the Vila Isabel district (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) were at the epicenter of a powerful tanker truck explosion.

Rescuers later stated that the back of the tank was torn into three pieces and thrown 100 meters.

According to media reports, the truck was returning from Barra da Tijuca (Rio de Janeiro region), where it delivered 30 thousand liters of fuel.

“This truck was empty, it had just finished refueling and it exploded. We don't know why this problem occurred,” a local official later said.

However, eyewitnesses said that they saw the truck crash into the street wiring, after which a short circuit occurred.

A local resident, who was driving behind the truck in an armored Jeep and Compass vehicle, was hit by a blast wave.

“It was unexpected. At that moment I could not understand anything, it was a very loud noise. I felt pressure pressing me into the car seat before the windshield shattered in front of me. I saw a pillar and sparks, and thought that the pillar had exploded. Later I realized that it was a truck and got out of the car, and then saw the scale of the disaster,” said an eyewitness to the explosion.

No one was injured as a result of the powerful explosion. Dozens of houses and cars lost their glazing.

“The transformer also exploded. I tried to turn back and saw pieces flying right over my car. The electrical wiring in this area is very low and trucks pass by from time to time, which is why cases like this occur. Fortunately, this tank truck was empty and I don’t even know what the consequences would have been if there had been gas in the tank,” said another road user who was at the scene of the incident.

The press service of the company involved in the transportation of fuel later reported that emergency services were involved in eliminating the consequences of the explosion and that they were investigating the incident.