The food truck explosion that happened in Philadelphia a few weeks ago is still being investigated and it is still unclear who is to blame.
A mother and daughter in Philadelphia, who were injured earlier this month after a propane tank attached to the back of their food truck exploded, have died from their injuries.
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Jaylin Landaverry, 17, and her mother, 42-year-old Olga Galdernez both passed away, according to Landaverry’s brother and Galdernez’s son, Marco Hernandez. A family friend told NBC10 that Galdernez had been in a coma since the blast and succumbed to her injuries Sunday afternoon. Landaverry died Tuesday night around 7 p.m. from fluid in her lungs, the friend said.
"We have no words to express, right now, we're just really shocked at the fact that this happened. We never thought that she was going to pass away or Olga," said Yasmine Landaverry, Jaylin's cousin. "The way they died is really tragic for us."
Around 5:30 p.m. on July 1, the mother and daughter were working inside their food truck, La Parrillada Chapina, at 3rd Street and Wyoming Avenue when the 100-pound tank blew. The truck was equipped with two such tanks filled with gas.
Investigators believe propane vapor began leaking from one tank and filled the truck. A flame from the grill inside the mobile restaurant provided the spark, officials said. Witnesses told detectives they smelled gas before the blast.
The propane fueled a fireball that engulfed the truck, the street and surrounding sidewalks. One tank was blown 95 feet away into the backyard of a home nearby, police said. The truck was properly licensed to operate, officials said.
Philadelphia Police said eight other people were hurt when the tank exploded. The investigation is on-going.
Surveillance and cell phone cameras captured the explosion and its aftermath, showing victims laying on the ground and catching the screams of those injured -- difficult recordings for the family to see.
It's always going to haunt us," Yasmine said.
The woman described her cousin as a very smart girl who was on the honor roll at Little Flower Catholic High School. She said it was both Jaylin and Olga's dream to cook and that the family is devastated to know they're gone.
"We always had all these dreams...and to know that she's not going to be by my side anymore, it hurts," she said.
A prayer service and candlelight vigil were held Wednesday night for the mother and daughter. The prayer service was held at Little Flower Catholic High School on the 1000 block of W. Lycoming Street while the vigil was held near the site of the blast.
A funeral for the women will be held on Friday in Philadelphia. Their bodies will then be flown to Guatemala for burial.
PHOTO: Olga Galdemez, 42, and her 17-year-old daughter, Jaylin Landaverry, pictured two years ago at the girl's quinceanera.
