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LAST UPDATE | 20 Jan 2019
THE DEATH TOLL toll from a fiery explosion at the site of an illegally tapped fuel line in central Mexico rose today to 79, officials said.
Hundreds of people had been drawn to the site in the state of Hidalgo on Friday to gather fuel amid shortages and a government crackdown on pipeline fuel thefts.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation, Attorney General Alejandro Gertz told a news conference.
Health Minister Jorge Alcocer said six more bodies were found during a final search of the site in the town of Tlahuelilpan, in addition to 73 previously reported dead.
He said 66 people injured in the explosion were hospitalized in Hidalgo, while those in more serious condition have been moved to Mexico City for specialised care.
“There are patients in serious condition with burns of more than 80% (of their bodies),” he said, adding that their prognosis was “reserved.”
The search for remains ended last night but families of the victims called for the search to continue and for forensic experts to return to the scene.
Images captured by local media showed a torrent of fuel escaping from a pipeline after thieves tapped into it.
As many as 700 people had converged on the site with buckets and drums to collect gasoline when the explosion occurred.
Local media showed people screaming as they fled, their clothes in flames, some with severe burns.
Gertz said that the investigation did not seek to “victimise the communities”.
“We are going to find those responsible for actions that generated this tragedy,” he said.
“Victimising the whole population is not (the investigation’s) function nor is it established in the law.”
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Pretty much self-inflicted. They drilled a hole in a high pressure fuel pipe. They were stealing fuel. No doubt a lit cigarette was involved.
@Jane Alford: that’s too simplified Jane, I remember the exact same story from Africa a few years ago. In this latest one, it wasn’t all 66 people who breached the pipeline. Mostly it was a poverty issue, the petrol was flowing and they heard about it and went for it. If companies are using those pipelines, they should be buried deep, especially in poorer areas.
@Greg Blake: The company has absolutely no need to bury these pipes deep. Theft is theft. They must have surely known there was a risk to what they were doing. They didn’t deserve such a horrible death but if a country descends into vast lawlessness things like this inevitably Happen. The army also are totally innocent in this case.
@Windom Earle: yes, it’s theft, medal to you for stating the obvious. . Do you think however, a refined petroleum line would be allowed remain in the open and accessible like this anywhere in the first world. It would never happen. Attempted theft is only one H&S consideration, and the loss through theft would be pennies compared to public and environmental safety. So yes, there is plenty of blame to share around, this would include the company and the authorities.
@Jane Alford: who are we to judge? Aren’t we just lucky we don’t have to worry about things like scare petrol. I saw what our country was like about sliced pans in the snow, and I wasn’t proud
@Jane Alford: this is very sad but who are we to judge? Are we not lucky we don’t have to worry about scarcity of fuel. I saw what our country was like with sliced pans during storm Emma and I wasn’t proud.
@Greg Blake: Like here in Ireland years ago when children ran after coal lorries to gather fallen coal.
@Greg Blake: we have short memories here ,I remember when children ran after coal lorries to pick up fallen coal.
No doubt it’s Trump’s fault for some reason
I was in Mexico last week , luckily I had a diesel car as 9 out of every 10 petrol stations had no unleaded and the ones that did had a waiting time of over 4 hours to get served .
Cartel
Sounds like something out of mad max
I remember the time children ran after coal lorries to pick up fallen coal.
@Breda Kelly: we get it….
Jasis sounds like some blasht
have your say