A powerful gas explosion late on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, near the L5 metro station at Plaça de Sants injured eight workers and led Barcelona authorities to demand explanations from the Generalitat’s Department of Territori and the companies involved. Two of the injured were reported to be in serious condition. Fueled by escaping gas, the fire was still burning on Thursday morning as emergency crews worked through the night to contain it and protect the surrounding area.
Deputy Mayor for Security Albert Batlle visited the scene while the fire continued. He expressed the city’s support for the injured and made clear that the city council expects accountability from both the regional administration and the construction firms. The incident has renewed concerns about safety at major infrastructure sites, particularly amid other recent incidents associated with metro construction. A sinkhole near the FGC El Putxet station, linked to works on the L9 extension, was a separate event; available reporting does not establish a shared technical cause or contractor with the Sants explosion.
Firefighters, led by intervention chief Albert Ventosa, spent the night cooling the area with water jets to prevent overheating and further explosions. The urban gas network’s mesh structure complicated efforts to isolate the leak. After the initial gas escape at 14:40 on Wednesday, teams worked to seal the affected pipes using inflatable plugs. The explosion occurred at 22:50, injuring eight people and igniting a large, persistent flame. By Thursday morning, three pipes had been sealed, and a fourth was expected to be closed soon, allowing the fire to extinguish itself safely.
Authorities quickly cordoned off the area, restricted residents’ access and closed a nearby school as a precaution. The Medical Emergency System (SEM) treated the injured at the scene before transferring them to Vall d’Hebron and Clínic hospitals. Two people were reported in serious condition at Vall d’Hebron, while the others suffered less severe injuries. The city’s social services said only one family needed emergency support because of distress caused by the incident.
Local businesses have not reopened, and the area remains off-limits. The Guardia Urbana is advising people to avoid the vicinity. Public transport has also been affected: five bus lines have been diverted, and the replacement bus for L1 works is skipping Plaça de Sants. Deputy Mayor Raquel Gil reassured residents that risks had been minimized, but urged those living nearby to stay off their balconies until further notice.
The separate Putxet incident shows the wider disruption that can accompany major urban rail works, but does not establish a connection to the Sants gas explosion. El Nacional reported that subsidence was detected there on 7 July, after a pizzeria’s interior courtyard collapsed into a hole about eight metres across and four metres deep. Authorities initially evacuated eight buildings containing 93 homes. In October, the Generalitat had authorized returns to 54 homes and eight commercial premises; 18 homes and seven commercial premises were still awaiting clearance. Residents of Teodora Lamadrid 5, a building with 15 homes and one commercial premises, were given a provisional return date of 26 October. Ground consolidation and building monitoring continued, while restoration for some families was expected to extend into early 2027.
The explosion and overnight fire have focused attention on the challenges of carrying out infrastructure work in densely populated areas. The city’s demand for accountability reflects public concern over construction safety and work near critical utilities. RUSSPAIN previously covered a similar event at the same metro site, reporting on the demands placed on emergency services and the disruption to city life: read more about the earlier Sants metro gas explosion and its aftermath. The immediate priorities are restoring safety and supporting those affected.
