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Mexico explosion: 30 hurt in blast at Pemex Veracruz oil plant | Mexico explosion: 30 hurt in blast at Pemex Veracruz oil plant |
(35 minutes later) | |
A large explosion has injured at least 30 people at an oil facility in the south-east Mexican state of Veracruz. | A large explosion has injured at least 30 people at an oil facility in the south-east Mexican state of Veracruz. |
The blast hit a facility owned by Mexico's state oil company, Pemex, in the port city of Coatzacoalcos. | The blast hit a facility owned by Mexico's state oil company, Pemex, in the port city of Coatzacoalcos. |
Hundreds of people have been evacuated and schools closed. Images posted to social media showed a large fire and vast plumes of smoke. | Hundreds of people have been evacuated and schools closed. Images posted to social media showed a large fire and vast plumes of smoke. |
A series of explosions have been reported at other Pemex facilities in recent years. | A series of explosions have been reported at other Pemex facilities in recent years. |
The latest incident occurred at around 15:30 local time (20:30 GMT), a statement by Veracruz's government said (in Spanish). | The latest incident occurred at around 15:30 local time (20:30 GMT), a statement by Veracruz's government said (in Spanish). |
The fire was under control by early evening, Pemex said. Smoke emanating from the blast dissipated quickly, it added, lessening any possible toxic effects. | |
Pemex said the part of the factory hit by the explosion was managed by a sister company, Mexichem. | Pemex said the part of the factory hit by the explosion was managed by a sister company, Mexichem. |
Export of oil from the plant, one of the largest terminals for oil distribution in Mexico, would not be affected, the company added. | |
In September 2012, an explosion then a fire at a gas plant in the northern state of Tamaulipas killed 33 people. | In September 2012, an explosion then a fire at a gas plant in the northern state of Tamaulipas killed 33 people. |
Pemex's own headquarters in Mexico City was hit by a large gas blast in January 2013, killing 37 people. | Pemex's own headquarters in Mexico City was hit by a large gas blast in January 2013, killing 37 people. |
A number of fires also struck the company's rigs in the Gulf of Mexico last year. | A number of fires also struck the company's rigs in the Gulf of Mexico last year. |