Gasoline Tanker Explodes On Veracruz Highway, Driver Killed As Fire Engulfs Roadway Instantly

Veracruz, Mexico— A gasoline tanker carrying 30,000 liters of fuel exploded Saturday morning on Highway 140 near the La Antigua toll booth, killing the driver instantly and sending a tower of black smoke visible for kilometers as the highway turned into an inferno. The blast was heard at 7:55 a.m.

State emergency officials said the tanker, headed from Veracruz port to Xalapa, blew a front tire while overtaking a cargo truck. The driver lost control. The truck jackknifed, struck the concrete divider, and rolled. Fuel spilled. Within seconds, a spark ignited the load. The driver was trapped in the cab. There was no time to get out.

The fire spread fast. It engulfed two lanes, melted asphalt, and burned three nearby vehicles that had stopped. Drivers ran. One motorist filmed the blaze from 200 meters away. “You could feel the heat on your face. The air burned,” he said. Firefighters from Veracruz city and Cardel arrived in 18 minutes. They could not get close at first. The heat was too intense.

Pemex safety crews were called. The highway was closed in both directions. The National Guard set a 500-meter perimeter. One firefighter said the tank’s safety valves failed. “Normally they vent. This one ripped open. It was a full boilover,” he said. The explosion left a crater 1.5 meters deep.

The driver’s identity has not been officially released, but company records identified him as a 48-year-old with 15 years hauling fuel. His company, a private contractor for Pemex distribution, had one prior incident last year involving a leak, according to federal transport records.

Highway 140 is a critical fuel corridor. Closures hit gas stations in Xalapa by noon. The Secretariat of Communications said the pavement suffered structural damage and would need resurfacing. Environmental crews were testing soil for contamination. Fuel entered a roadside ditch that drains toward the La Antigua River.

By 1:30 p.m., the fire was out. The wreck was still smoldering. A crane was brought to lift the charred chassis. Traffic was diverted through back roads, adding two hours to the Veracruz-Xalapa trip.

Investigators are examining the tire remnants and the tanker’s maintenance log. No cause has been ruled out.

The highway remains closed. The cleanup is expected to run into Sunday.