Mar del Plata evacuations following mercaptan spill

A strong odor of gas caused widespread concern and several school evacuations in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on Tuesday morning. The smell, which spread through various neighborhoods including the northern zone and the city center due to wind, led to reports of residents feeling unwell and students being evacuated from institutions such as Escuela Técnica N° 3.

Camuzzi Gas Pampeana clarified that there was no actual gas leak or rupture in the pipelines. Instead, the odor was caused by a spill of mercaptan, a liquid odorant added to natural gas to make it detectable. The company stated the spill resulted from an act of vandalism at the El Tejado pressure regulation station, where the pump responsible for injecting the odorant was damaged.

Authorities and the gas company have assured the community that the situation is under control and poses no risk of a gas explosion. Local civil defense and educational authorities advised residents to remain calm while the incident was addressed.