A “devoted” father has died nearly a month after an explosion at a transportation center killed a colleague and injured several others, officials said.
German Garcia, a fleet maintenance technician, died of injuries that were sustained when a fire broke out at the Sun Metro Bicentennial Council Transit Operations Center in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 11, the city said in a news release.
“We are heartbroken to lose another dedicated member of our Sun Metro team,” said Dionne Mack, city manager. “German Garcia was an essential part of the hardworking group that keeps our community moving forward. His loss is immense, and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this painful time.”
The explosion caused the roof and walls of the building to collapse and was not far from the city’s international airport, according to the Associated Press.
Eight people were injured in total, five of whom were transported to local hospitals, the city said in a Feb. 12 press release. Two of the people hospitalized were later identified as Garcia and his coworker, Ruben Ibarra.
The men, who both joined the company in December 2024, were critically injured and transported to a burn center in Phoenix. Two days later, Ibarra, who also worked as a technician, died of his injuries, according to officials.
Newly released records reveal that a bus caused the explosion, according to KFOX14.
In a GoFundMe page launched in the wake of the accident, the organizer described 29-year-old Ibarra as a “hardworking and kindhearted” young man.
“This is an incredibly difficult time for him and his family as they are not only facing immense emotional pain but also significant financial challenges, including medical bills, travel costs, and daily living expenses,” he added. The tribute — which has since closed — raised nearly $30,000.
Separately, on the day of the fire, Daphne Flores created a GoFundMe fundraiser to support Garcia’s wife, Jessica Flores, and their family.
Daphne wrote at the time, “Our beloved German, a devoted family man, was tragically caught in the Sun Metro fire and has suffered life-threatening injuries.” As of Friday, March 7, more than $31,000 has been raised.
The organizer did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
“It is truly heartbreaking to lose not one, but two valued members of our City team in such a short span,” said Mayor Renard Johnson in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “We grieve alongside their families and our Sun Metro employees. We encourage the community to remember them in their thoughts and prayers as we all process this sorrow together.”
