One person died and 30 were injured, seven of them seriously, in the explosion and fire that followed a gas leak on Friday, November 13, in Remedios de Escalada, in the Buenos Aires district of Lanús, according to the municipality as quoted by La Nación. It happened at the corner of Coronel Beltrán and Del Valle Iberlucea, in the heart of the town's shopping area, where Metrogas was renewing its gas network. Two company managers were detained on the prosecutor's orders, according to Ámbito.
Firefighters put out the fire early on Saturday the 14th, after Metrogas staff managed to cut off the leak, and the municipality is organizing the gradual return of evacuated families. The area remains closed to traffic while damage is assessed and debris is removed, according to La Nación. This is what is known about the explosion in Remedios de Escalada.
What happened in Remedios de Escalada
According to the Metrogas statement reported by Perfil, the works "were part of its annual investment plan" and were being done on a pipe without gas, but during the job a tunneling machine damaged another pipe "that was in operation." The National Gas and Electricity Regulator (ENReGE) explained that "a tunneling machine apparently damaged a distribution network pipe," causing the leak, and that the explosion happened afterwards, during the repair, according to Bloomberg Línea. The works were carried out by Exgadet, a contractor hired by Metrogas, according to Ámbito.
Media reports differ on the time: Ámbito places the explosion at around 9:44 a.m., while Perfil says the first call about the leak came in at that time and the blast was around 10:50 a.m. The flames reached at least one shop and a neighboring home. More than 20 fire crews and more than 10 ambulances responded.
- Nov 13, 9:44 a.m.First report of a gas leakAt Coronel Beltrán and Del Valle Iberlucea, during Metrogas works.
- Nov 13, morningExplosion and fireSources differ on the exact time (between 9:44 and 10:50 a.m.).
- Nov 13Two Metrogas managers detainedOn the orders of Lanús Decentralized Prosecutor's Office No. 6.
- Nov 13ENReGE announces auditsIt will make the results available to the courts.
- Nov 14, early hoursLeak cut off and fire put outThe municipality begins assessing damage and the return of evacuees.
Victims of the Remedios de Escalada explosion
The municipality of Lanús confirmed one person died at the scene. Of the 30 injured, seven are in serious condition: six were taken to Hospital Evita and one to Hospital Narciso López; 13 remain under observation, out of danger, and 10 have been discharged, according to La Nación. Among the seriously injured is a person with burns over 80% of the body and another who is intubated, according to Ámbito. The figures changed during Friday: some initial reports mentioned 20 or 21 injured.
During Friday, two people were reported missing. On Saturday the authorities said both had been found: one was disoriented and the other was a false alarm from relatives, according to La Nación. The municipality has not reported how many families were evacuated or how many customers were left without gas.
The investigation into Metrogas over the explosion
Lanús Decentralized Prosecutor's Office No. 6 ordered the detention of two Metrogas managers who were at the scene. Lanús Civil Defense director Claudio Arale accused them of not following protocols: according to the municipality, the company said the leak was under control and did not activate the local emergency system. "They have to activate the local emergency system when there is a gas leak on a public road," Arale said, as quoted by Ámbito.
ENReGE, which reports to the Economy Ministry, said it is following the investigation "in permanent contact" with the company, will carry out audits and will make the results available to the courts. "ENReGE regrets the consequences of this type of accident in public services," it said in its statement, according to Bloomberg Línea. The case seeks to determine the degree of responsibility of the companies involved in the works.
| Party | What it said or did |
|---|---|
| Metrogas | The works were part of its annual investment plan; a tunneling machine damaged a pipe in operation. It cut off the leak on Saturday. |
| Exgadet | Contractor hired by Metrogas to carry out the works. |
| Lanús Decentralized Prosecutor's Office No. 6 | Ordered the detention of two Metrogas managers. |
| ENReGE | Will carry out audits and hand them to the courts. |
| Municipality of Lanús | Reports casualties, assesses damage and organizes the return of evacuees. |
Other gas explosions in Argentina
Gas leak explosions have serious precedents in the country. The deadliest in recent decades was the one on calle Salta, in Rosario, on August 6, 2013: the collapse of a building left 22 dead and 62 injured. On August 2, 2018, a leak explosion at a school in Moreno killed the deputy principal and the caretaker.
| Date | Place | Dead | Injured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 2013 | Calle Salta 2141, Rosario (Santa Fe) | 22 | 62 |
| Aug 2, 2018 | School in Moreno (Buenos Aires) | 2 | - |
| Nov 13, 2026 | Remedios de Escalada, Lanús (Buenos Aires) | 1 | 30 |
Source: Wikipedia, 2013 Rosario explosion, Wikipedia, 2018 Moreno explosion and La Nación. Gas networks weigh heavily in daily life in the country: according to INDEC, 35.4% of households have no piped gas.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in Remedios de Escalada?
On November 13, 2026, a tunneling machine damaged a gas pipe during Metrogas works and the leak ended in an explosion and fire at Coronel Beltrán and Del Valle Iberlucea.
How many dead and injured are there?
One dead and 30 injured: 7 serious, 13 under observation and 10 discharged, according to the latest municipal report.
Who was detained?
Two Metrogas managers who were at the scene, on the orders of Lanús Decentralized Prosecutor's Office No. 6. The investigation remains open.
Has the fire been put out?
Yes. Firefighters put it out early on Saturday the 14th, after Metrogas cut off the leak. The area remains closed to traffic.
