Petrochemical plant in Mexico blows up, killing 24 people
- 8 years ago
COATZACOALCOS, MEXICO — A massive explosion at a plant owned by a Mexican oil giant is the latest in a series of fatal accidents that have plagued the company in recent years.
Reuters reports that the Pemex petrochemical plant, located in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz on Mexico's southern gulf coast, is a joint venture between the company's petrochemical unit and plastic pipe maker Mexichem — who serves as majority owner.
It produces up to 900 tons a day of vinyl chloride, a hazardous industrial chemical used to make PVC pipes, among other uses.
According to the BBC, Wednesday's explosion occurred around 3:15 p.m. local time in the facility's chlorinate 3 plant, and was reportedly triggered by a leak.
The blast sent flames and clouds of toxic fumes into the air, with shock waves felt as far as 10 kilometers away.
The tragic incident claimed at least 24 lives, and injured 136, 13 of whom are in serious condition. Pemex has yet to determine what caused the leak, but CEO Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya has been reported as saying everything points to an accident, according to Reuters.
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Reuters reports that the Pemex petrochemical plant, located in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz on Mexico's southern gulf coast, is a joint venture between the company's petrochemical unit and plastic pipe maker Mexichem — who serves as majority owner.
It produces up to 900 tons a day of vinyl chloride, a hazardous industrial chemical used to make PVC pipes, among other uses.
According to the BBC, Wednesday's explosion occurred around 3:15 p.m. local time in the facility's chlorinate 3 plant, and was reportedly triggered by a leak.
The blast sent flames and clouds of toxic fumes into the air, with shock waves felt as far as 10 kilometers away.
The tragic incident claimed at least 24 lives, and injured 136, 13 of whom are in serious condition. Pemex has yet to determine what caused the leak, but CEO Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya has been reported as saying everything points to an accident, according to Reuters.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
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