A strong burst at a gas station this Saturday left at least two dead in the southern Brazilian city of Porto Alegrehit by unprecedented floods, confirmed an AFP journalist present at the time of the explosion.
A fire resulting from the explosion generated a thick cloud of smoke, visible from afar.
Firefighters transported the victims of the accident, affected with burns.
The gas station is located on Cairu Avenue, in the Navegantes neighborhood of Porto Alegre, one of the largest cities in southern Brazil.
The city has been hit since Friday by the “worst climate disaster” in the history of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
The heavy rains have so far left dozens dead and missing in the region.
The overflowing of water channels and landslides keep numerous roads interrupted, with almost 300 towns affected, many of them isolated.
In Porto Alegre, the rapid rise in the last hours of the Guaíba River flooded the historic center.
According to the mayor’s office, its level was 5.04 meters, above the record of 4.76 meters, recorded when the city suffered historic floods in 1941.
Many streets were under water and residents were trying to evacuate their homes, AFP reported.
FOUNTAIN: AFP
