20/07/2026 18:33 - Judiciales
The night of July 19, 2026, following the World Cup final where Argentina fell to Spain, was marked by tragedy in the Z1 neighborhood of Neuquén, a major city in Argentine Patagonia. A 24-year-old young man lost his life, and three others were injured following the explosion of a high-power pyrotechnic device.
According to local media and police sources, a group of people gathered in an open field near the water tanks of EPAS (Provincial Water and Sanitation Service). They attempted to ignite professional-grade fireworks inside an artisanal mortar, causing a fatal detonation around 9:00 PM.
The head of the Homicide Division, Inspector Commissioner Juan Carlos Barroso, explained that the material used is not for public sale; it belongs to a professional category intended for large-scale shows and is regulated by the National Agency of Controlled Materials. Sources estimate the explosive might have come from a company based in the province of Santa Fe, located in the center of the country.
The case was taken up by the Homicide Prosecutor's Office, led by Prosecutor Inaudi, with the intervention of Police Station N°18 and the Homicide Division. The provisional charge is investigation of the causes of death and injuries.
In the province of Neuquén, the use and sale of fireworks have been banned for over a decade to protect people with sensitive health conditions, animals, and to prevent fires. However, police sources indicated the existence of a black market that facilitates access to these devices, which become especially visible during World Cup match days.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
