Earlier this week, a gas pipeline in the Mexican city of Jala, a town bordering the Tepic-Guadalajara Highway between Chapalilla and Ixtlan del Rio, caused a massive explosion leaving at least six people dead.
What We Know:
- The blast took place on a busy highway at around 11 a.m. on Monday when a tanker truck carrying natural gas crashed into three other vehicles and burst into flames. After the accident, the National Guard closed the roadway completely to avoid any more damages.
- The initial death toll was at least 6 people but they are now looking for up to 14 people. According to NY Post, “at least five people were killed in a pickup truck at the scene, three others while inside a Honda car, and three others in an unidentified vehicle.” The police are still looking to identify more remains.
- A video of the accident has surfaced on Twitter, showing two men running out of their cars toward what appears to have been an initial discharge that stopped traffic. Then, an even bigger explosion goes off and flames erupt into the air as people are seen turning around and running away. There is also a video of the post-explosion fire, with black smoke and debris engulfed the highway.
- Pipeline explosions in Mexico are not uncommon. Typically, they are caused by illegal tapping into the pipelines to steal gas. Illegal tapping can be highly dangerous and left over 73 dead in an accident last year.
We send our condolences to all that were harmed during this horrifying accident.
