Death Toll Rises to 19 in Mexico Propane Tanker Explosion as Dozens Remain Hospitalized

Health officials in Mexico say the deadly explosion of a propane tanker truck continues to claim lives nearly a week after the incident, with the death toll now at 19 and dozens more still receiving treatment for serious burns and other injuries.

The explosion occurred shortly after 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11, when the tanker—carrying nearly 49,000 liters of liquefied gas lost control, overturned, and ignited, releasing a fireball and shockwave that damaged at least 18 vehicles and shook surrounding buildings.

Authorities initially confirmed three deaths, but updated figures from Mexico City's Ministry of Health now report 19 fatalities, along with 32 individuals who remain hospitalized at various medical facilities and another 33 who have since been discharged.

Among those who died was Alicia Matías Teodoro, an elderly woman who became known on social media for shielding her granddaughter from the flames during the blast.

Investigators believe the truck was traveling at excessive speed before it overturned, triggering a gas leak that ignited and sent flames several feet into the air.

Residents and drivers in the area captured images and videos of the explosion that quickly spread across social media, showing towering flames and thick black smoke. Some witnesses reported hearing a thunderous boom that shattered windows miles away, while others said the shockwave scattered debris and sparked panic throughout nearby neighborhoods.

One witness told local media that several cars waiting at a traffic light were instantly engulfed in flames when the tanker exploded, adding that people were seen running in every direction, with some leaping from their vehicles to escape the fire.

According to CNN, the driver of the tanker remains hospitalized, and prosecutors have opened an investigation into potential charges of negligent homicide, negligent injury, and property damage. Regulators also revealed that a preliminary inspection found the truck lacked valid insurance required for the legal transport of gas.

Transportadora Silza, the company that owns the vehicle, said last week it would take full responsibility for the consequences of the accident, while Mexico City officials have pledged assistance for the families affected by the tragedy.

The explosion has once again drawn attention to the thousands of propane trucks that travel daily across Mexico, transporting a fuel that millions of homes and businesses depend on for cooking and heating water, raising renewed concerns about safety and regulation in the industry.

As noted by ABC News, this is not an isolated case. In 2020, a double tanker carrying propane flipped on a highway in the state of Nayarit, killing 13 people after flames spread to other vehicles. And in 2015, a leak from a smaller propane truck delivering gas to a maternity hospital in Mexico City caused an explosion that destroyed much of the building, killing five people and injuring dozens more.