Five killed as fuel barge explodes on the Paraguay River
Maintenance workers died during a suspected degassing operation near Asuncion
Five maintenance workers were killed on Saturday morning when a fuel tanker barge exploded on the Paraguay River. The blast happened at a mooring in the Zanja H area, on the right bank opposite the Costanera Sur, between Asuncion and Lambare. Six workers were on board; five died and the sixth, who was outside the barge, was pulled to safety with minor injuries.
The engineless, tug-pushed barge is owned by a Paraguayan company specialising in the river transport of fuels, gases and bulk cargoes. It was not carrying cargo at the time, and the crew were carrying out maintenance. Authorities believe the likely trigger was a degassing operation to clear flammable vapours before hull repair or welding.
The Prefectura General Naval deployed units and closed the area over the risk of residual gas, while three units of the volunteer fire service brought the blaze under control. Naval forensic experts, the public prosecutor's office and the merchant marine directorate have opened parallel investigations, including into the permits for the work.
The barge sits on the 3,400 km Paraguay-Parana waterway, a vital artery for landlocked Paraguay's fuel and grain trade, putting a spotlight on safety practices during tank cleaning and hot-work operations on the river.
