Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Pipeline explosion injures 19 in Veracruz

Pemex workers and Civil Protection personnel are among 19 people who were injured when a leaking pipeline exploded in southern Veracruz on Tuesday.

The Veracruz Civil Protection agency said that an explosion occurred at about 3 p.m. as workers conducted a controlled burn at the site of an ethane leak on a Pemex pipeline in the municipality of Agua Dulce, located south of Coatzacoalcos on the border with Tabasco.

The agency said in a Facebook post Tuesday night that the majority of injured persons sustained first degree burns. It said in an earlier post that one person suffered second degree burns.

Video footage shows a raging blaze and huge quantities of black smoke emanating from the leaking pipeline.

Those injured by the fire were taken to hospitals in Agua Dulce and the nearby municipality of Nanchital.

The pipeline, located next to the Coatzacoalcos-Villahermosa highway, began leaking ethane on Sunday night, prompting a deployment of Pemex workers to attend to the situation.

Approximately 170 people who live near the pipeline were transported to shelters as a precaution, the newspaper Reforma reported.

Explosions along Pemex pipelines due to leaks are relatively common as crime gangs perforate the lines to steal petroleum and gas.

The deadliest incident in recent years was an explosion in January 2019 at a gasoline pipeline in Tlahuelilpan, Hidalgo, that claimed 137 lives.

With reports from Reforma and Aristegui Noticias 

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Smoggy skies over Mexico City

Mexico City enters third day of environmental contingency due to high pollution levels

0
Residents of the metropolitan area have been advised to take precautions as air pollution levels soared for the third straight day.
Two police officers with their backs to the camera standing in front of a police sedan. Their jackets say "SSPC Investigacion." Between them is a man facing the camera with his arms cuffed behind his back. His eyes are digitally covered with a black bar to hide his identity.

Mexico arrests alleged MS-13 leader on FBI’s most wanted list

0
Francisco Román, arrested in Veracruz Monday, is wanted in the U.S. for drug trafficking and ordering numerous of acts of violence. He was allegedly in Mexico to liaise with cartels.
Woman in a Mexican supermarket holding cans of food in her hands while a little boy with her sits on the floor next to her and grabs a can on the lowest shelf.

OECD forecasts Mexico recession in 2025-2026; Sheinbaum pushes back

5
The new prediction is based on the expectation that 25% U.S. tariffs on most Mexican imports will begin in April. 
Who is new U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson?