Mexican Chemical Plant Explosion Claims 28 Lives – Over 130 Injured After Huge Explosion Rocks Pemex Petrochemical Plant
A huge explosion at a Mexican chemical plant has so far claimed 28 lives. The petrochemical processing plant was jointly operated by Mexico’s state-run oil giant, Pemex, and a company called Mexichem. Over 130 people have so far been injured in the incident.
Death toll from an explosion at a chemical plant in southeastern Mexico rose to 28 on Saturday after searchers recovered four more bodies from the wreckage. The petrochemical plant, located on Mexico’s southeastern Gulf coast, is believed to have suffered a leak prior to the massive explosion, but the exact cause isn’t known. Petroleos Mexicanos or Pemex, released a statement which added that a few workers are still missing but refrained from specifying a number.
Pemex blast: Death toll rises in Mexican chemical plant explosion https://t.co/TjHm2FHF6E
— Adeyemi Oluwaseun E. (@PeleLee16) April 23, 2016
The company earlier noted that eight workers were unaccounted for. However, now that rescue teams have pulled out four more bodies, the actual number of missing workers is still not known. Pemex did confirm that a few areas of the massive plant are still to be searched. It is likely the petrochemical plant housed many inflammable chemicals, and hence, there’s still a lot of risk involved in conducting a thorough search.
During such a risky search and rescue operation, rescuers often take help of technology. Pemex had confirmed it had sought the help of unmanned aerial reconnaissance vehicles, commonly known as drones, to comb the area from above. Additionally, tracker dogs have been deployed at the site to assist in the search and rescue operation.
The explosion that rocked the Petroquimica Mexicana de Vinilo (PMV) facility in the southern state of Veracruz, sent huge and dark plumes of thick smoke high into the air. There were reports that the fumes spreading across the region could be toxic. The intensity of the explosion was so high, tremors of the blast could be felt about 10 kilometers (six miles) away. Calling the explosion a “tragic accident,” Mexican President Enriqie Pena Nieto quickly ordered the evacuation of surrounding neighborhoods. Emergency protocols meant for disasters were quickly put into place and municipalities in the nearby regions were asked to move the people to safety and schools were evacuated, confirmed local officials.
PMV is a joint venture between Mexican petrochemicals consortium Mexichem and state oil firm Pemex, reported CNN. Multiple photos and videos of the explosion at the Mesican chemical plant were posted on social media sites. In fact, an official Twitter account of the government posted photos of plant workers being evacuated from the facility. The workers were shown leaving the premises in a long convoy. Veracruz government spokesman Raul Gutierrez added that the emergency personnel were working with Pemex to take stock of the situation and evaluate the extent of damage to the chemical plant.
Explosión en Clorados III #Pajaritos #Coatzacoalcos pic.twitter.com/V1sHjpyxrV
— DeTodoElMundo (@Mexicosoyyo3) April 20, 2016
Pemex confirmed that the fire from the explosion had been brought under control by early Wednesday morning. It has assured the local citizens that the thick plume of smoke was gradually dispersing and should completely dissipate soon.
The Clorados 3 plant of Petroquimica Mexicana de Vinilo produces industrial chemical vinyl chloride, reported ABC News. It is not hazardous if used correctly; however, it can be disastrous to the ecology if mishandled. It is believed the plant was manufacturing the chemical to produce Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC). The plastic is quite commonly used to make sturdy and rigid pipes that are used to ferry water.
The accident is the latest in a series of similar disasters that the facilities of the Mexican state oil company suffered in recent times. A dozen workers were killed in a fire at a Pemex gas facility in the state of Tamaulipas in 2012. A year later, at least 37 people died in a strong gas explosion that occurred at Pemex’s headquarters in Mexico City.
[Image via YouTube Screen Grab]
