The gas leak behind Wednesday night's deflagration at Plaça de Sants has been “completely neutralised” and no longer poses a risk, according to Albert González, head of the Barcelona Fire Department.
Firefighters closed four points in the gas distribution network to stop the supply. Flames have now gone out, González said, and checks carried out during the operation found no further leaks, including in the metro network.
“The gas leak is completely neutralised.”
At least eight people were injured in the incident at the entrances to Plaça de Sants metro station. Eight men were treated, with two seriously injured, three less seriously injured and three lightly injured, according to reports from the scene. They were taken to Hospital Vall d'Hebron and Hospital Clínic.
L1 passengers face closure until 28 August
Commuters should continue to avoid the affected section of Metro Line 1, which is closed between Florida and Plaça de Sants until 28 August because of planned works. An alternative bus service has been provided while the closure is in force.
The works at Plaça de Sants began on 17 July and include accessibility improvements, lift installation and track renewal. The project is intended to improve access for passengers with reduced mobility, increase service reliability and reduce vibration.
- Affected line: L1
- Closed section: Florida to Plaça de Sants
- Scheduled end date: 28 August
- Alternative: replacement bus service
Nine Bombers de Barcelona fire appliances and eight ambulances from the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques, Catalonia's emergency medical service, were deployed after the alert was raised shortly after 10pm. Protecció Civil, Catalonia's civil-protection service, placed its Procicat emergency plan on pre-alert.
Reported by EFE, Judit Bertran, Otras, ground.news, europapress.es, elpais.com, David León Himelfarb, Carlos Losada, catalannews.com, russpain.com, El Periódico Barcelona.
