Pipeline Explosion Injures Five at Port of Galveston – November 21, 2024

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.