Guatire gas explosion kills 69-year-old woman

A 69-year-old woman, identified as Josefina Blanco, died following a gas explosion at the Las Bonitas residential complex in Guatire, Miranda state. Blanco succumbed to severe burns covering 80% of her body while receiving treatment at the Guatire General Hospital.

Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion occurred when family members attempted to light a stove, triggering a deflagration caused by accumulated gas. The blast caused structural damage to the apartment and affected neighboring units. Authorities indicated that a fissure in the internal pipes, potentially caused by recent remodeling work, may have led to the leak.

PDVSA Gas technicians have inspected the supply systems for blocks 7, 8, and 9, finding them to be functioning normally. However, gas service remains suspended as a preventive measure while technicians progressively inspect the piping networks of all 12 buildings in the complex and individual apartment installations. The investigation is being conducted by the Zamora and Capital District Fire Departments, the Scientific, Penal and Criminalistic Investigation Corps (Cicpc), and local civil protection and engineering agencies.