Seven injured in Pemex pipeline explosion in Mexico

On Wednesday afternoon, an explosion occurred in the municipality of Polotitlán, State of Mexico that left seven people injured. The explosion allegedly occurred due to the illegal making of fuel. The Polotitlán municipality is on the border with Hidalgo and is one of the locations in which illegal milking of pipelines occurs most due to the few people coming through the area and lack of security.

Seven people were treated on the scene for first and second degree burns, and two men were taken to the Pemex General Hospital in Tula, Hidalgo - both for radiation injuries and one for a dislocated shoulder as well,

According to preliminary information from the authorities, security, emergency forces, and firefighters arrived at the scene where the events occurred. After the explosion, a strong fire was detected with flames that exceeded 20 meters in height. Several neighbors, motorists, and people from nearby neighborhoods captured the column of smoke produced from the fire, which was around 40 meters and could be seen for several miles.

The municipal authorities of Polotitlán detailed that some inhabitants of the communities of Celayita and El Tesoro will be evacuated in order to safeguard their lives until conditions are safe. An official statement released by the municipal authorities announced that the facilities of the DIF halls, as well as the Herminio Sánchez hall, will be enabled as shelters for all affected people

“We regret what happened and we will be reporting the details that the competent authorities make known to us,” said the statement, which also called on the public to stay informed of official and municipal media in order to avoid misinformation. Pemex personnel report that the fire is under control and they are now waiting for all the fuel in the pipeline to be consumed. So far, no deaths have been recorded.