AUGUST 11, 2015
MONTERREY, MEXICO
At least five people were killed in the explosion of the oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) gas pipeline in the city of Monterrey, the capital of the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon in the country's northeast, the company said Wednesday.
"The fire registered today in Escobedo-Santa Catarina pipeline in the town of Garcia, Nuevo Leon, was caused by a blow from a particular company equipment at a construction site outside Pemex. Unfortunately, the death of five contractor's employees is confirmed," Pemex said.
Immediately following the accident, Pemex detected rapid pressure loss and shut off gas flow to the affected pipeline section. The explosion did not cause any damage to nearby buildings and no other injuries were reported. Authorities are monitoring the ongoing fire, which will not be put out until gas remaining in the pipeline has been burned off completely.
Garcia is an industrial municipality located to the northwest of the Monterrey metropolitan area.
Pemex added that the fire will not end until the gas remains in the pipe are burnt, but that the blaze remains under control.
On June 22, oil and gas leak caused the explosion on Mexico's state-run company's oil platform at one of its major operations in the southern Gulf of Mexico.
On April 1, flames engulfed a Pemex oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving four people dead.