Tragic Gas Tanker Explosion

A tragic accident, involving the death of the driver of a Portuguese gas road tanker, containing 33,000 litres of highly volatile liquid gas occurred on the International Bridge between Spain and Portugal at approximately 5p.m. on Tuesday, 18th July.  

The crashing of the tanker through the bridge support on the approaches on the Portuguese side of the River Guadiana caused a black smoking fireball which not only incineratede the vehicle but severely damaged the bridge also.  This resulted in the stoppage of all international road traffic until it can be established whether the bridge has been sufficiently structurally damaged as to render it unsafe for crossing, due to the super-heating which occurred during the fire, which also affected the surrounding land.

Fortunately, there were no other casualties involved in this shocking accident.

Spanish fire-fighting services from Ayamonte joined those of Portugal during the post-accident phase.

The liquid gas was being transported from Huelva to Faro.