Gas Station Explosion in Rio de Janeiro Leaves Two Critically Injured

A powerful explosion rocked a gas station in Rio de Janeiro's city center early Saturday morning, leaving two men with severe injuries. The incident occurred at a gas station near Praça da Cruz Vermelha as a car was being fueled with GNV (vehicular natural gas). According to Ana Beatriz Lourenço, a reporter on the scene for Bom Dia Sábado, "It was a really big explosion." The force of the blast caused significant structural damage to the gas station, with debris scattered across the area. Images from social media showed the car's rear end completely destroyed, and the gas station canopy severely damaged. Both the driver and the gas station attendant sustained serious injuries and were transported to Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital. The area remains closed off while authorities investigate the cause of the explosion. The incident highlights the potential dangers of GNV refueling and underscores the need for stringent safety protocols at gas stations.