LPG cylinder explosion in Carovigno injures six people and destroys apartment balcony

Explosion in Carovigno residential building

A gas explosion took place around lunchtime on Saturday, 22 August 2026, in the suburban periphery of Carovigno, a municipality situated in the province of Brindisi. The incident occurred on the first floor of a four-story residential apartment block located on via Martiri di via D'Amelio. The detonation was triggered while the elderly homeowner was in the process of replacing a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder utilized to supply the household boiler. A sudden leakage of gas escaped from the canister, generating an immediate flare-up and a violent blast that echoed across the residential district. The sudden detonation blew out fixtures on the property and caused immediate distress among neighboring residents.

Medical response and hospitalizations

A total of six individuals sustained injuries during the incident and required transport to hospital facilities by emergency medical teams. The elderly homeowner absorbed the brunt of the fire and shockwave, suffering severe third-degree burns across his body. Paramedics transported him urgently under code red status to the specialized Perrino Hospital in Brindisi, where his medical condition remains serious. Five other occupants who were present in the apartment during the detonation suffered from intoxication after inhaling smoke and combustion byproducts. The affected family members comprise the man's wife and four minors, identified as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Attending physicians placed all five under continuous clinical monitoring, confirming that the four children are not in life-threatening condition.

Property destruction and building evacuation

The physical damage from the blast was primarily concentrated in an external domestic space located along the property's perimeter. The explosion destroyed a cooking area situated on a balcony that had been enclosed by a glass partition, shattering the surrounding panes entirely. Structural surveys conducted following the blast indicated that damage to the primary building envelope remained confined to an exterior window and a French door. The primary load-bearing elements of the four-story residential building remained intact throughout the event. Emergency crews ordered a precautionary evacuation of the entire residential block immediately following the explosion to ensure occupant safety while initial assessments took place.

Site securing and investigative checks

Multiple emergency services responded rapidly to via Martiri di via D'Amelio to secure the scene and treat the casualties. The response involved teams from the fire department, officers from the Carabinieri, local police personnel, volunteers from the Civil Protection department, and several 118 emergency ambulances. Firefighters inspected each individual residential flat in the condominium to ensure no lingering gas pockets or secondary ignition risks remained. Following the completion of safety checks across all floors, authorities permitted the evacuated residents to re-enter their apartments. Investigations led by the Carabinieri and fire officials continue in order to establish the exact mechanical cause of the gas leak from the cylinder.