Guadalajara -
Within the hour Mexican news sources have reported a major explosion at the corporate headquarters of Pemex, the state owned petroleum company, in the nation's capital.
At least 30 injuries have been reported, some of them said to be serious. There is one confirmed fatality. Other sources are reporting more deaths. Some people may be trapped inside.
Video feeds show a large debris field in front of building B2 of the corporate administrative center.
Witnesses reported two blasts just before 4:00 p.m. on a lower floor, possibly the basement. Many windows were blown out.
Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, are arriving at the scene continuously. A large crowd is gathered outside. State and federal police carrying riot shields are present to maintain order. Mexican army and marine units have been summoned. The entire area is under surveillance by Federal Police helicopters.
The Federal District's governor and chief prosecutor are said to be on their way to the scene. Officials have not speculated as to a possible cause of the explosion.
The question on everyone's mind is whether the explosion was the result of a gas or electrical failure, or something more sinister.
The Pemex Tower has 54 floors and was built in 1979. About 10,000 people work daily at the Pemex complex, which includes multiple buildings.
Updates
6:00 p.m. Mexico City's El Universal has reported 80 injuries and 10 deaths, with other victims still trapped. It says the explosions occurred between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. The Milenio network, quoting a Civil Protection Services official, reports that accumulated gas was almost surely responsible.
Mexico's Secretary of Government, Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, has told the press that 14 are dead.
President Enrique Peña Nieto has arrived at the site.
7:30 p.m. Some news services are reporting at this hour that as many as 30 people still may be trapped in the Pemex building, most of them in the basement. Canine rescue teams are working the scene. Criminal forensic investigators are also present. The injured count has risen to at least 100.
9:30 p.m. President Peña Nieto, appearing on national television a few moments ago, said that he had visited some of the injured and their families earlier this evening. He encouraged Mexicans "not to speculate" about the causes of the explosion until forensic investigators have completed their work.
11:00 p.m. Latest toll: 25 confirmed dead, 101 injured.
Friday, Feb. 1
8:00 a.m. The rescue work continues at the Pemex site this morning, with one additional dead reported. Many are still missing, while anxious family members await word of their fate. In comments late last night Enrique Peña Nieto said, "We're investigating. If it turns out anyone was responsible for this, we will deal with that person." A press conference is about to begin in Mexico City.
8:45 a.m. The press conference was just told that 32 are dead: 12 men, 20 women. A Pemex official said, "We acknowledge there may be victims still buried. The rescue labor will continue. We have the assistance of the secretary of defense, of army and marine experts and of criminal investigators from the attorney general's office as we work to determine the cause. We have international assistance."
The official added that the tragedy would not interfere with Pemex production. The company delivers 2.6 million barrels of oil daily. It is a state monopoly, although some have called for allowing private investment. President Peña Nieto has addressed that topic several times since taking office Dec. 1.
1:30 p.m. The official fatality count now stands at 33. The search for buried victims continues, under tons of heavy rubble.
Saturday, Feb. 2
10:00 a.m. The final toll looks to be 33 confirmed dead, with 121 injured. Mexico's attorney general said yesterday that "every hypothesis" is being investigated, including the possibility of an attack. "But from all we an see, everything points to an accident," he noted. He also said the assistance of "international investigators" would be essential in determining the cause of the explosion. Yesterday president Peña Nieto declared three days of national mourning for the victims.
7:00 p.m. As many as 16 persons may still be buried in the Pemex ruins. The area is said to be very hazardous for rescue workers, who are relying on dogs to lead them to possible survivors. Oxygen is being pumped into the basement and collapsed lower floors of the building.
Sunday, Feb. 3
9:00 a.m. Another body was found in the Pemex ruins last night, raising the death count to 34.
1:00 p.m. The remains of a 35th victim were recovered this morning.
10:00 p.m. Rescue efforts have been brought to a close, at least for the time being, after a 36th body was found earlier this evening. It appears that most of the missing have now been accounted for.
Monday, Feb. 4
5:00 p.m. A 37th victim of the Pemex Tower collapse died in a Mexico City hospital today.
Feb. 4 - Mexican Attorney General: Pemex explosion an accident
Milenio news video, uploaded to YouTube
No comments:
Post a Comment