Explosion in Mexico City near office of oil firm kills 25 people

A blast in Mexico near to the Pemex building has killed 25 people and injured at least 100 others

10:38 01 February 2013

An explosion in Mexico Cityon Thursday afternoon has resulted in 25 people being killed and more than 100 people being left injured, with rescuers working in the area to search for survivors of the blast.

The explosion, which happened around mid-afternoon local time, occurred at a building near to Pemex’s skyscraper. Pemex, whose skyscraper is over 50-storey’s high, is an oil company owned by the state.

Rescue workers have continued to hunt for survivors, with their being much debris and rubble to work through. Rescue dogs were also being used to help find those people who were trapped.

It is believed that lower levels of the building were damaged but that the building withstood the blast.
One employee, Cristian Obele, told local television: “It was an explosion, a shock, the lights went out and suddenly there was a lot of debris.”

He also explained that he was helped out of the building by his colleagues.

The President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, said of the incident: “We have no conclusive report on the reason [for the blast].

“We will work to get to the bottom of the investigation to find out, first, what happened, and if there are people responsible in this case, that we apply the full weight of the law against them."

Streets close to where the incident happened were closed off. And it is understood people who were evacuated from the building remained close to the scene.

Police as well as rescue helicopters are believed to have attended the scene.

As of time of press, there has been no reason given as to the cause of the explosion in Mexico City.

Pemex is situated in the northern region of the city and is considered to be one of Mexico’s largest buildings.