Pipeline blast injures 3 Tondo workers
Three construction workers were injured after accidentally hitting a crude oil pipeline while working inside a gasoline warehouse in Tondo, Manila, Saturday morning.
The victims, identified as Edzel Eustaquio, 24; Arnulfo Meru, 25; and Alvin Pagtabunan, 31 — all residents of Purok 3, Isla Puting Bato, Barangay 20, Tondo — sustained burns and lacerations on their bodies and faces. They were immediately brought to Tondo Medical Center for treatment and are currently under observation.
According to the Manila Police District–Police Station 1 (MPD-PS1), the incident happened around 9 a.m. inside the Mega Genesis Trading Corporation located at Block 6, Road 10, Magsaysay Village, Barangay 106, Vitas, Tondo.
Initial investigation revealed that the workers were conducting repairs inside the gasoline warehouse, which reportedly stores crude oil and is operated by Jet Fuel Construction Corporation. While working, the group accidentally struck a crude oil pipeline, triggering a sudden blast.
Ronnel Pagtabunan, who was at the site during the incident, said the workers were unaware that the section they were working on contained active crude oil lines.
Firefighters from the Manila Bureau of Fire Protection quickly responded and conducted an initial ocular inspection of the site to assess potential hazards and prevent further incidents.
Authorities are now conducting a thorough investigation to determine possible lapses in safety protocols and to assess the compliance of the facility with occupational safety standards.
