A gas pipeline explosion in Peru has prompted investigations into the operator, Transportadora de Gas del Perú (TGP), as evidence suggests the incident occurred during maintenance work. The rupture of the Camisea gas pipeline has disrupted the country’s energy sector and raised concerns about safety protocols.
Videos circulating on social media, reportedly recorded by workers at the site, depict the moments following the March 3 explosion near the town of Saringabeni in the Cusco region. One worker, identified as Ismael Villavicencio, is heard saying, “We just escaped the explosion (deflagration) of the gas leak from the valve (…) Thank God we escaped this. Right now we are in the middle of the forest and we don’t know where to head.”
Aerial photo following the explosion, appearing to show trenches dug during maintenance work at the time of the accident.
Aerial photographs of the site show an open excavation and exposed piping, suggesting the rupture wasn’t accidental. The images indicate work was already underway when the incident occurred.
TGP acknowledged the location in a statement corresponds to kilometer 43 of the pipeline but did not confirm the authenticity of the photos or video. The company maintains the incident resulted in no injuries or fatalities.
“As we did not send the photo, we cannot guarantee its veracity. Though, it appears to be from the location corresponding to KP43, the place where the incident occurred. Regarding the video, we have no information to determine if it is true or not,” the company said in a written statement.
The company confirmed the deflagration occurred during “Risk Based Inspection” (RBI) work – preventative maintenance. According to TGP, these inspections were not in response to existing defects, but rather designed to prevent them through surveys, inspections, and specific measurements.
A worker who reportedly survived the accident.
TGP stated that no defects or anomalies had been recorded in the area of kilometer 43 prior to the incident, and that the installation was inspected by Osinergmin, the Peruvian energy and mining regulator, in August 2025, with findings indicating it was in good operating condition.
The company said an investigation is ongoing, involving Osinergmin, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and TGP’s technical team.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of La Convención, in Cusco, has opened a preliminary investigation into TGP for potential environmental contamination and endangering worker safety, according to reports. The investigation follows reports that 35 indigenous people from the Alto Saringabeni community experienced mild respiratory and eye irritation following the incident.
Prosecutor Óscar Benavides Luna told Radio Exitosa on March 6 that TGP personnel were working in the area at the time of the explosion and were evacuated. “We do not know if the evacuation was due to any affectation or only as a preventive measure; we cannot be certain. Nor can we determine if it was an accident, a lack of maintenance or other causes,” he said.
The disruption to the Camisea pipeline prompted the government to declare a state of emergency for natural gas supply on March 4, with restrictions on domestic supply expected to last until March 14, as reported by El Comercio. The incident underscores Peru’s reliance on the Camisea pipeline for its energy needs.
