Sabesp Fires Workers After Gas Leak During Central São Paulo Repair

Overview

• The repair team perforated a Comgás gas pipeline on June 4, producing a large leak that forced evacuations of nearby buildings but caused no injuries or explosion.
• Sabesp's internal investigation concluded workers failed to follow mapping and excavation procedures and led to two dismissals and seven suspensions pending retraining.
• Images and statements from Comgás and the fire department show an excavator working directly above a marked gas pipe, supporting the probe's finding of procedural breach.
• The company has created a Directorate of Operational Safety, unified engineering with operations, and said it will roughly triple field inspectors from about 200 to 600 while broadening training programs.
• The incident came days after Sabesp issued new protocols after a deadly Jaguaré blast, the Jaguaré inquiry remains open, and unions warn that staffing and training shortfalls tied to recent privatization may raise further risks.