Cook Who Remarkably Survived Powerful Gas Explosion Dies In Hospital After 10 Day Battle
A cook who was critically injured but remarkably survived a powerful gas explosion inside a restaurant kitchen has died following a 10-day battle.
Maria do Socorro Teodoro da Conceicao was seen walking outside in the aftermath of the blast that took place at a snack bar at a bus terminal in the Brazilian municipality of Belem on 8th May.
She suffered burns to 77 percent of her body and both external and internal injuries when a gas canister inside the kitchen in which she was working exploded.
She was taken to a local urgent and emergency care hospital in the neighbouring municipality of Ananindeua where she was intubated and put into an induced coma.
The 43-year-old cook eventually succumbed to her injuries and she was pronounced dead on 18th May.
Nellyane Ferro, nurse care coordinator at the hospital’s Burns Treatment Centre, said the woman’s case was extremely rare.
She said that in such cases, the victim usually passes out, either from smoke inhalation or from being hit by debris. However, Maria was seen emerging from the scene at the time to ask for help.
The building housing the snack bar was completely destroyed in the blast, and the remaining debris was later demolished by the authorities after they sealed off the area.
Neighbouring buildings and homes, including the bus terminal itself, were also damaged by debris from the explosion, which the fire brigade believe was caused by a gas leak.
It is unclear if the case will be investigated further.