Five injured, one seriously, as parked car explodes in Lleida; aerosol can under investigation
A parked car exploded on Lluís Companys street in Lleida on Saturday morning, injuring the driver and four pedestrians. One victim is in serious condition with thoracic trauma; investigators suspect an aerosol can ignited inside the vehicle.
What happened
A parked car exploded on Lluís Companys street in Lleida on Saturday morning, around 11:00 am, injuring five people. The vehicle was stationary near the Teatro Municipal del Matadero when the blast occurred, sending debris onto the street. The driver and four pedestrians who were passing by at that moment were caught in the deflagration. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Victims and injuries
All five injured were taken to Hospital Arnau de Vilanova. One person is in serious condition with thoracic trauma, while the other four sustained milder injuries, including two with contusions. The driver was among the wounded, along with the pedestrians who were struck by parts of the car. Medical personnel from the Sistema d'Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) attended to the victims at the site before transport.
Investigation and cause
Mossos d'Esquadra have opened an investigation into the explosion, deploying units from Tédax (the bomb disposal squad) and the Information commissariat. Early findings point away from a gas cylinder and toward an accidental combustion. According to police, the most likely cause is an aerosol can that ignited inside the car, possibly after coming into contact with an electrical component. One report noted that the driver had purchased aerosol cans from a bazaar shortly before the incident.
I will follow the evolution of the events and the final conclusions of the investigation.
Emergency response
Firefighters from the Generalitat, the Guardia Urbana, and multiple Mossos patrols converged on Lluís Companys street. The SEM activated six ambulances to handle the casualties. The area was cordoned off while investigators began their work. No further risk to the public was reported.
- A parked car explodes on Lluís Companys street at around 11:00 am, injuring five people.
- Firefighters, Mossos d'Esquadra, Guardia Urbana, and six SEM ambulances are deployed to the scene.
- All five injured are taken to Hospital Arnau de Vilanova; one in serious condition with thoracic trauma.
- Mossos d'Esquadra open an investigation, with Tédax and Information units involved; initial hypothesis points to an aerosol can.
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet released a definitive cause. The mayor's office said it would await the Mossos' final report before commenting further.
