ANKARA 

A devastating explosion from a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker truck claimed at least four lives and injured 17 others on Thursday morning in Chile’s Santiago metropolitan area.

The tanker was carrying LPG from a terminal in Quintero, a coastal city in Chile's Valparaiso region, about 160 kilometers (nearly 100 miles) northwest of Santiago, to Gasco's Maipu plant, the company's main LPG facility.

It reportedly lost control, overturned, struck barriers or other vehicles, and released a massive gas cloud that ignited into a fireball.

Emergency services battled the flames for hours, using controlled burns on residual gas and cooling the tank to prevent secondary detonations.

The highway segment remained closed, causing major traffic disruptions.

Chilean authorities confirmed four fatalities including the truck driver and 17 injured, with several in critical condition due to severe burns.

Five victims were reported in life-threatening states by regional officials.

Prosecutors are reportedly focusing on evidence from security cameras pointing to driver error, such as speeding or loss of control.

* Writing by Selcuk Uysal