An explosion caused by gas in the early hours of the morning around 4 a.m. led to the collapse of a two-story building located on La Albericia street in Santander. At least one person has died and two others are missing who may have been inside the building at the time of the incident. The body of the deceased has been taken to the Forensic Anatomy Institute. The explosion also resulted in ten injuries of varying severity. Around 16 people lived in the three homes in the building according to estimates from neighbors.
Residents in the area reported hearing an explosion in the early morning and were able to evacuate, including a man who helped a young girl and her sister escape through a balcony. The firefighters arrived twenty minutes after the explosion according to the affected neighbor. Government sources in Cantabria and the City of Santander reported that the incident took place at number 24 La Albericia street in the capital city and led to the evacuation of all nearby buildings affected by the explosion. Eight residents from the affected building and neighboring buildings were taken to Valdecilla Hospital for various injuries.
The firefighters in Santander continue to work on putting out the fire caused by the explosion in the area where the building once stood. The fire was still burning with significant flames past 7:30 a.m. Gas supply in the area has been cut off and two intensive care units, an ambulance, as well as firefighters from Santander and emergency services from 112 Cantabria have been mobilized. A field hospital has been set up near the location where the building collapsed. Regional president María José Sáenz de Buruaga, Santander Mayor Gema Igual, Government Delegate in the region Eugenia Gómez de Diego, and the regional Emergency Services coordinator Isabel Urrutia are present at the scene of the incident.
Overall, the explosion caused by gas in Santander resulting in a building collapse has led to one confirmed death and ten injuries of varying severity. The search is ongoing for two missing individuals who were inside the building at the time of the incident. Emergency services, including firefighters, ambulances, and intensive care units, are on-site to address the situation. Gas supply has been cut off in the area, and a field hospital has been set up near the site of the incident. Regional authorities are also present to oversee the response and investigation into the cause of the explosion.
