PHOTOs-Huge Explosion In Mexico Oil Office Kills 25
 

Mexico City blast at Pemex, state oil giant, kills 25

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Mexican news reporter Manuel Rueda says that office workers heard a "loud explosion"

BBC News 31 Jan 2013

The number of people killed by a blast in Mexico City at the headquarters of the state oil company, Pemex, has risen to 25, the interior minister has said.
At least 100 people were injured and an unknown number remain trapped in the rubble at the base of the 54-storey tower. Searches for survivors continue.
The cause of the blast is under investigation, Pemex says.
Last September, 30 people died in an explosion at a Pemex gas plant in northern Mexico.
Television pictures showed debris from the blast spread out on to the street in front of the building, and Red Cross ambulances on the scene attending to the injured, reports the BBC's Will Grant, in Mexico City.
Some reports placed the number of people trapped at more than 30.
Police have cordoned off the streets around the building, which is located in a busy commercial area of Mexico City.


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The 54-floor Pemex building is 214 metres (702 feet) tall


At this stage there is no official explanation for the explosion, our correspondent says.
Pemex said on Thursday evening it was investigating the possible causes.
The firm's chief executive, Emilio Lozoya Austin cut short a business trip to Asia and was on his way back to Mexico, the company added.
Trapped Relatives of employees have gathered outside the building in search of information about their loved ones, local media report.
Some are said to have tried to reach employees on their mobile phones but had no reply.

"The place shook, we lost power and suddenly there was debris everywhere. Colleagues were helping us out of the building," eyewitness Cristian Obele said.
"We were talking and all of sudden we heard an explosion with white smoke and glass falling from the windows," another witness said.
"People started running from the building covered in dust. A lot of pieces were flying."

Images of the blast posted on Twitter revealed large clouds of smoke billowing from the building. TV footage showed people being transported from the scene by helicopters.
President Enrique Pena Nieto and Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera headed to the scene of the blast.
Mr Nieto said Pemex rescue and security teams were working alongside city authorities to help the injured.
"I am deeply sorry for the deaths of our fellow workers at Pemex. My condolences to their relatives," Mr Nieto said.
"At the moment, the priority is to help the injured and protect the physical safety of those who work there."


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Emergency services were searching for people trapped in the rubble
The president said he has ordered an investigation into the causes of the blast.
Earlier on Thursday, Pemex had reported problems with the electricity in the building on Twitter

It later confirmed that an explosion had taken place "in the B2 building of the administrative centre".
"There are injuries and damage on the ground floor and mezzanine," it said.

Plaster had fallen from the ceiling of the basement and the situation was "delicate", a spokesman for local emergency services was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying.

Pemex has experienced a number of fatal accidents in recent years.
Last September's deadly blast at a gas plant near the northern town of Reynosa is thought to have been caused by a build-up of gas.