At least three people were killed and other 136 injured after a large explosion hit an oil plant in the south-east Mexican state of Veracruz.
The facility is owned by Mexico’s state oil company, Pemex, in the port city of Coatzacoalcos.
Hundreds of people have been evacuated and schools closed. Footage showed a large fire and vast plumes of smoke.
The cause of the explosion is unclear. Several blasts have been reported at Pemex facilities in recent years.
The latest incident occurred at around 15:15 local time, Pemex said in a statement. Veracruz state Governor Javier Duarte told a radio station the blast was felt 6 miles away.
Photo Reuters
The fire was under control by early evening, Pemex said. Residents were told to stay indoors because of the possible toxic nature of the smoke from the blast, but Pemex said the smoke dissipated quickly, lessening any possible toxic effects.
According to Pemex, of the 136 people injured, 88 remain in hospital, 13 of whom are in a serious condition.
Video posted on social media purporting to show a local hospital showed scenes of chaos and patients suffering heavy blood loss.
Pemex said the part of the factory hit by the explosion was managed by a sister company, Mexichem.
Associated Press reported that the plant produces vinyl chloride, a dangerous chemical used to make PVC pipes and packaging materials.
Exports of oil from the plant, one of the largest terminals for oil distribution in Mexico, would not be affected, the company added.
Pemex’s own headquarters in Mexico City was hit by a large gas blast in January 2013, killing 37 people.
Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto has signed a controversial law that allows foreign companies to drill for oil for the first time since the sector was nationalized in 1938.
The legislation was passed by Congress last week and ratified by a majority of Mexican states.
Enrique Pena Nieto says the reform will help Mexico attract the investment needed to boost its falling oil output.
The opposition says it damages national interests.
The legislation changes three articles in the Mexican constitution and allows foreign investment in oil, gas and electricity.
Private companies will be allowed to sign contracts to drill for oil and gas with state-controlled firm Pemex, which will get a share of the profits
Private companies will be allowed to sign contracts to drill for oil and gas with state-controlled firm Pemex, which will get a share of the profits.
“This is the beginning of a new history for our country. We have opened the doors for a better future for all,” said Enrique Pena Nieto.
Oil production in Mexico has dropped from 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004 to the current rate of 2.5 million barrels per day.
Opposition legislators attempted to stop last week’s vote by all means, including piling up chairs to block the entrance to the Congress building.
At least 25 people were killed by a blast in Mexico City at the headquarters of the state oil company, Pemex, the interior minister has said.
Another 100 people were injured and an unknown number are trapped in rubble at the base of the 54-storey tower. The search for survivors continues.
The cause of the blast is under investigation, Pemex says.
Last September, 30 people died in an explosion at a Pemex gas plant in northern Mexico.
Thursday’s explosion in the lower floors of the building happened as shifts were changing in the afternoon, making the area particularly crowded.
Television pictures showed debris from the blast spread out on to the street in front of the building, and Red Cross ambulances on the scene attending to the injured.
Hundreds of rescuers helped by dogs are searching the building for around 30 people thought to be trapped inside.
Police have cordoned off the streets around the building, which is located in a busy commercial area of Mexico City.
Pemex says its operations will continue to run normally – and commercial and financial obligations will continue to be met – despite the blast.
The company’s chief executive, Emilio Lozoya Austin, cut short a business trip to Asia and was on his way back to Mexico, a Pemex statement said.
At least 25 people were killed by a blast in Mexico City at the headquarters of the state oil company, Pemex
Relatives of employees have gathered outside the building in search of information about their loved ones, local media report. Some are said to have tried to reach employees on their mobile phones but have had no reply.
“The place shook, we lost power and suddenly there was debris everywhere. Colleagues were helping us out of the building,” eyewitness Cristian Obele said.
“We were talking and all of sudden we heard an explosion with white smoke and glass falling from the windows,” another witness said.
“People started running from the building covered in dust. A lot of pieces were flying.”
Images of the blast posted on Twitter revealed large clouds of smoke billowing from the building. TV footage showed people being transported from the scene by helicopters.
President Enrique Pena Nieto and Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera headed to the scene of the blast.
Enrique Pena Nieto said Pemex rescue and security teams were working alongside city authorities to help the injured.
“I am deeply sorry for the deaths of our fellow workers at Pemex. My condolences to their relatives,” President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Twitter.
“At the moment, the priority is to help the injured and protect the physical safety of those who work there.”
The president said he has ordered an investigation into the causes of the blast.
Earlier on Thursday, Pemex had reported problems with the electricity in the building in a message on Twitter.
It later confirmed that an explosion had taken place “in the B2 building of the administrative centre”.
Plaster had fallen from the ceiling of the basement and the situation was “delicate”, a spokesman for local emergency services was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying.
Pemex has experienced a number of fatal accidents in recent years.
Last September’s deadly blast at a gas plant near the northern town of Reynosa is thought to have been caused by a build-up of gas.
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