On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 10, a massive explosion rocked the eastern region of Mexico City, one of the most densely populated areas in the country. A gas tanker truck carrying 49,500 liters of liquefied petroleum gas overturned and exploded near the Puente de la Concordia bridge in the Iztapalapa borough, sparking a fierce fire and triggering an urgent response from emergency services.
According to official reports, 70 people were injured, three of whom died and two remain unidentified, as confirmed by Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada, who visited the site of the explosion personally.
How did the gas truck explosion start?
Authorities suspect that the tanker truck overturned, which likely caused a gas leak followed by multiple explosions and a devastating shockwave that wreaked havoc across the area.
“At 2:20 p.m., a gas tanker truck carrying 49,500 liters overturned — this is the working hypothesis — and later exploded, producing a blast wave that resulted in 57 people being injured and taken to different hospitals,” stated Mayor Clara Brugada.
The head of Civil Protection in Mexico City, Myriam Urzúa, added that 18 people sustained second- and third-degree burns, and were transported by ambulance and airlifted via helicopter for emergency medical care.
What was the material damage caused by the explosion?
The fire and explosion completely destroyed 28 vehicles, including cargo trucks, a water delivery van, a motor scooter, and numerous private cars. Shocking images from the scene reveal twisted metal frames, burned-out car shells, and charred debris spread across the road.
“It looked like a junkyard on fire — every single car was burning at the same time,” recalled a driver who managed to escape uninjured.
Key roadways such as Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza, the Mexico-Puebla highway, and Ermita Iztapalapa were partially closed, while firefighters and rescue teams worked for hours to extinguish the blaze and secure the area.
What do the viral videos on social media show?
Shocking videos circulating on social media show enormous columns of flames and thick black smoke rising into the sky. Several clips capture the sequence of explosions and their powerful shockwaves, which rattled nearby buildings and were reportedly felt kilometers away.
Footage also reveals the completely charred tanker truck, as well as dozens of vehicles caught in the blaze. Emergency authorities urged the public to stay away from the affected area and to allow access for emergency vehicles and first responders.
Firefighters continued to monitor the scene to ensure that remaining gas burned off safely under controlled conditions.
How did officials respond to the emergency?
Mayor Clara Brugada coordinated the emergency response on site and confirmed the number of victims. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed condolences on her official X (formerly Twitter) account: “We extend our solidarity and support to the families of the three people who sadly passed away and to those injured, following the explosion of a gas tanker in Iztapalapa.”
She also praised emergency personnel: “I also express my gratitude to the emergency teams assisting in this tragic event.”
What actions did the IMSS take after the explosion?
Zoé Robledo, head of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), announced that emergency protocols were activated across local hospitals to receive and treat the injured.
In a post on X, Robledo shared that:
- 12 patients with second- and third-degree burns were being treated at the General Hospital No. 53.
- The Magdalena de las Salinas Trauma Hospital had been placed on standby to receive critically injured patients.
- The High Specialty Medical Unit at Magdalena de las Salinas was also receiving explosion victims.
Was the gas tanker properly insured?
According to the Agency for Safety, Energy and Environment (ASEA), the gas truck loaded at the Gas Tomza Maritime Terminal, under storage permit G/029/LPA/2010, originally issued on September 20, 2024.
However, the insurance policy expired on June 12, 2025, and a new policy application was filed but rejected, meaning the vehicle had no valid insurance coverage at the time of the explosion.
“Therefore, as of today, there is no record of a valid insurance policy registered with ASEA,” the agency confirmed.
ASEA further announced that technical protocols have been activated to conduct a root cause analysis of the incident, under environmental regulations enforced by SEMARNAT.
If the company is found responsible for operational negligence, it will face sanctions in accordance with current regulations. Inspectors from ASEA, the National Energy Commission, and the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office are already on the scene to investigate.
What is the current situation at the site?
Although the fire has been brought under control, emergency crews continue to cool the area, remove debris, and carry out official inspections. Several roads remain partially closed, and the area is being secured for safety and investigation purposes.
This tragic event has sparked public concern about hazardous materials being transported through densely populated urban areas, and has raised urgent questions about regulatory oversight and corporate responsibility.
#Impresionante Momento exacto de la fuga de gas y posterior #explosión de pipa de 49,500 litros de gas en Concordia / Iztapalapa.
Hasta el momento reportan 57 personas heridas, de los cuales 19 se reportan graves. pic.twitter.com/xIaSSD17rQ
— Central Municipal (@Central_CM) September 11, 2025
#HastaElMomento | Son 57 personas lesionadas, 19 de ellas en estado de gravedad; el saldo preliminar de un incendio derivado de la volcadura y #explosión de una pipa de gas LP en el puente de la Concordia que se registró #hoy.
Así lo confirmó, la jefa de gobierno de la #CDMX. pic.twitter.com/ZxgXkQV2al
— Abel Vargas (@abelvargasrubio) September 11, 2025
#ÚLTIMAHORA 🔴 | un minuto basto para la tragedia, #explosion e #incendio de una pipa con gas en la Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza, a la altura del Puente de la Concordia en #Iztapalapa en la #CDMX. 🔥🚒#c5 comparte sus imágenes! Atentos a la hr.
Drones sobrevolando la zona. pic.twitter.com/CwctXQ3hMq
— El Rebelde ADN (@El_Rebelde_ADN) September 11, 2025
#Explosión en el paradero #SantaMarta en la zona oriente de la CDMX una #pipadegas con fuga provocó este fatal momento en hora pico cercas de la #Unitec lesionados trasladados a hospitales cercanos. pic.twitter.com/IuhJfQfbDH
— Informe_México 🇲🇽 (@Informe_Mex) September 10, 2025
15:32 #PrecauciónVial | Continúa cerrada la circulación en ambos sentidos de la Autopista México Puebla entre Eje 6 Sur y el Puente de la Concordia, corte de circulación en Calzada Ermita Iztapalapa a partir de la Avenida de Las Torres, helicóptero del grupo Cóndores realiza un… pic.twitter.com/JWNBUCiz7G
— OVIAL_SSCCDMX (@OVIALCDMX) September 10, 2025
Un grupo de nuestros #voluntarios en las unidades C-01 y C-05 labora desde el inicio de la emergencia en la zona de la #explosión de la pipa de transporte de gas en inmediaciones del puente la #Concordia en la Alcaldía #Iztapalapa.#CóndorCercaDeTi#ProtecciónCivil#rescate pic.twitter.com/j6rrFFdyay
— RESCATE GRUPO CÓNDOR🇲🇽 (@Rescate_Condor) September 10, 2025
