One worker has been killed, and two others have been seriously injured following an explosion at a fuel storage facility in Gran Canaria. The explosion happened at around 12:10pm today, Wednesday 5th August, during maintenance work on a fuel tank at the Salinetas Industrial Estate, where energy company DISA operates its storage facilities.
According to the latest information released by the Telde Town Hall, the provisional toll stands at one fatality and two people seriously injured. Police also initially reported that a third worker was unaccounted for following the blast, although early indications suggested they were safe.
Explosion during maintenance work
Initial investigations indicate that the workers were carrying out maintenance on what was believed to be an empty fuel storage tank when the explosion occurred.
Speaking to Televisión Canaria, Telde Mayor Juan Antonio Peña said the workers had been undertaking welding work on one of the large storage tanks when something went wrong.
He explained that the explosion was powerful enough to be heard across the nearby coastal areas of Salinetas and Melenara, with flames briefly visible following the blast.
Large emergency response
Emergency services, including firefighters, Local Police, National Police, Civil Protection and SUC medical teams, were quickly deployed to the scene.
The affected area has since been secured, and authorities say there is no ongoing risk of a further explosion.
Telde Town Hall urged the public to avoid travelling to the Salinetas Industrial Estate to ensure emergency vehicles could access the site without obstruction.
Investigation under way
The cause of the explosion is now under investigation, with authorities expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the maintenance work and the condition of the tank.
Images from the scene showed two workers suspended from the industrial structure by their personal safety harnesses following the blast. Local media have blurred the footage out of respect for those involved.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and the condition of the injured workers has not been updated.
Emergency services remain at the scene while investigators continue their work.
