Gas canister seized as investigators eye possible tampering
Panic gripped the streets of Lo Pagán last Thursday when a powerful explosion tore through the popular Casa Javi bar, injuring 17 people — three of them seriously. The blast, which shook the town just after midday, happened at the busy crossroads of Salzillo Avenue and Torres Fontes Street, right next to the bustling weekly market. Locals described the chaos as “like a war zone.”
At the heart of the investigation is a butane gas cylinder found inside the establishment — its rubber hose discovered cut. That single detail has shifted the probe from a tragic accident to a potential act of sabotage. The Civil Guard’s elite Fire Investigation Unit, deployed from Valencia, immediately seized the cylinder for forensic analysis. While a gas leak remains the main theory, the possibility of tampering has investigators on high alert.
The explosion sent glass and debris flying into the street, catching dozens off guard as lunchtime crowds packed the area. Casa Javi, a popular local eatery, had been open just moments before the blast — its terrace and interior filled with regulars and marketgoers.
Three people remain hospitalized. The bar’s owner is in the burns unit at La Arrixaca Hospital in Murcia, while another victim, who arrived in critical condition, is now in intensive care after emergency surgery. A third, admitted to Los Arcos del Mar Menor Hospital, is stable. Fourteen others, mostly suffering cuts from flying glass and superficial burns, were treated and discharged.
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Witnesses described scenes of chaos and bravery. “If this had happened on any other day, fewer people would’ve been hurt,” said one resident who was just returning home when the explosion hit. “It felt like a bomb went off. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Emergency services flooded the area within minutes. Fire crews cordoned off the site, and forensic investigators have been combing through rubble since Friday morning, piecing together how — and why — the blast occurred. The force of the explosion blew out windows, warped doors, and even damaged nearby vehicles.
In response, the San Pedro del Pinatar City Council has set up emergency information points to support victims. Local officials are coordinating aid for those injured, homeowners facing structural damage, and market vendors who lost merchandise in the blast. Affected vehicle owners have also been contacted to begin claims.
The Casa Javi bar has a history of complaints and incidents. Local police had previously filed reports against the venue for noise disturbances and fights. Just days earlier, on June 11, firefighters had been called to extinguish a fire at the bar, which at that time did impact upper residential units. Fortunately, the apartments above were vacant at the time of this week’s explosion, as they are primarily used as holiday homes.
The blast marks one of the most serious incidents in recent memory for Lo Pagán, a typically quiet beachside town known more for its mud baths and tourists than crime scenes. With suspicions mounting and forensics underway, locals are left waiting for answers, and wondering if the explosion really was accidental.
