26 Killed After Major Blast at Gas Pipeline Distribution Center

Only yesterday, around 10:45 a.m., an explosion occurred at a gas pipeline distribution center near border city Reynosa, Mexico. The facility was administered by state-owned company Petroleos Mexicanos.

According to information made available to the press thus far, 26 people were killed, and about 51 other were injured.

Apparently, out of the 26 people who lost their lives in this unexpected explosion, 4 were part of the center's permanent staff, whereas the other 22 were contractors who just happened to be there.

Those in charge of overseeing the activities carried out at the Pemex facility refused to talk about how many people were injured and only gave away information concerning those who died as a result of this blast.

However, the Tamaulipas state police stated that, according to their reports on this matter, at least 51 people required medical attention in the aftermath of this explosion, and 12 of them found themselves in a critical state.

Dallas News informs us that the explosion occurred while workers were busy carrying out maintenance repairs. Thus, all it took was for one flame to spark, and the fire was quick in spreading throughout the rest of the plant.

Other sources report that firefighters from Reynosa and Rio Bravo were quick in arriving at the scene, and managed to contain the flames in a matter of hours.

Thus, with their help, the fire was well under control at around 12:40 p.m.

Still, those living within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of this facility were asked by city protection officials to leave their ranches and homes.

It is expected that this facility will remain closed for quite a while, yet officials explain that this will not affect the activity of extracting gas from the Burgos basin, in spite of the fact that this gas pipeline center used to serve the wells in this region.

Via: 26 Killed After Major Blast at Gas Pipeline Distribution Center