Overview

• The blast occurred during a volcano simulation at Instituto Comercial Rancagua in Rancagua, a locality of Pergamino, injuring mostly students with cuts, burns and contusions.
• A 10-year-old girl in the front row suffered severe facial trauma, was treated at Hospital San José, and was airlifted to Hospital Garrahan with a risk to her vision.
• Mayor Javier Martínez said an object embedded in the child’s face reached brain tissue, and authorities reported up to 16 injured, including a 45-year-old teacher who had eye surgery in San Nicolás.
• The case is now under the Fiscalía N°7, school activities were suspended, and Education Ministry teams were dispatched to assist and review safety procedures.
• Witness videos show a sudden fireball and violent detonation; reporting describes a mix of sulfur, charcoal and salts in metal tubes, with the exact composition and cause still under investigation.