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Pipeline Explosion Injures Five at Port of Galveston – November 21, 2024
A pipeline explosion at the Port of Galveston injured five contract workers—lawsuit and safety investigations now underway.


Incident Details
Date: November 21, 2024
Location: Port of Galveston, Galveston, Texas
Facility: Terminal operated by Texas International Terminals Ltd.
Company: Texas International Terminals
Type of Incident: Pipeline explosion
Known Cause: Under investigation; preliminary reports cite a failure during pipeline cleaning operations
Injuries: 5 contractors injured, one with burns over 40% of his body
Fatalities: None reported
Environmental Impact: No significant chemical release reported; fire and smoke present during explosion
Community Impact: Emergency response caused temporary port disruption; no evacuations required
Emergency Response: Local fire crews and emergency medical services responded; injured workers transported to nearby hospitals
Investigations: OSHA and local fire marshals investigating; federal pipeline safety regulators notified
Legal Action: Lawsuit filed by one of the injured contractors alleging unsafe work conditions and equipment failure
Estimated Financial Losses: Undisclosed; operations suspended at affected terminal
Regulatory History: Texas International Terminals previously cited for equipment safety violations in 2021
Incident Report
On the morning of November 21, 2024, a violent explosion rocked a pipeline terminal at the Port of Galveston, injuring five contract workers and halting operations at one of the region’s busiest oil and chemical transport hubs.
The blast occurred during a pipeline cleaning process overseen by Texas International Terminals Ltd., a privately operated storage and shipping facility. One worker suffered critical burns, with over 40% of his body affected, while four others sustained less severe injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to blunt trauma.
Though the explosion caused no fatalities, the incident sent a stark reminder of the high risks faced by contract workers on Texas’s energy infrastructure front lines. Emergency crews quickly contained the fire, and no hazardous chemicals were reported to have leaked, but the shock was felt across the port’s operations.
Early reports suggest equipment failure may have triggered the explosion, a claim now central to a lawsuit filed by one of the injured contractors. The worker alleges that poorly maintained valves and insufficient safety protocols contributed directly to the blast—an accusation that echoes prior safety citations issued to Texas International Terminals in 2021.
While investigations by OSHA and pipeline regulators are ongoing, labor advocates are once again highlighting the vulnerability of contracted labor in high-risk energy jobs. “These workers were put in harm’s way with minimal protection,” said one local union representative.
As the region recovers from yet another preventable incident, questions mount over whether current inspection and enforcement practices are doing enough to protect lives at the point where oil, chemicals, and commerce converge.