Torre Ejecutiva Pemex explosion
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
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| Date | 27 January 2013 |
|---|---|
| Time | 15:45 (CST) |
| Location | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 19°26′20″N 99°10′26″W / 19.439°N 99.174°W |
| Deaths | 32 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 101 |
On 31 January 2013, an explosion occurred nearby the headquarters of Pemex, Mexico's state oil company.[1] At least 32 people were killed and another 121 were injured when machinery in the lower levels of the building exploded.[2] Earlier in the day, Pemex sent out a tweet saying that the building was being evacuated due to a "problem with the electrical system in the complex that includes the skyscraper".[3]
Incident
An explosion occurred at 3:55 pm on 31 January 2013, which affected the basement and 1st floor of the Pemex executive tower in the Nueva Anzures neighborhood of the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City.[4] Many witnesses said the building shook because of the magnitude of the explosion. There is speculation as to whether the source of the explosion was gas or electrical, and whether it originated in the tower itself or a neighboring utility building.
Aftermath
The building was completely evacuated in the minutes following the explosion, 32 deaths have been confirmed (12 men and 20 women),[5] 121 injured (who have been taken to hospitals as the area adjacent to the Hospital of Pemex in Azcapotzalco) and 30 trapped inside the building.
After the explosion, Secretary of the Interior, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, Attorney General of the Republic, Jesús Murillo Karam, Secretary of Energy, Pedro Joaquin Coldwell, the mayor of Mexico City, Miguel Angel Mancera, the Miguel Hidalgo borough executive, Victor Romo, and President Enrique Peña Nieto arrived, among others who coordinated the rescue effort.
Reaction
Through the social network Twitter, President Enrique Peña Nieto, wrote: "I have ordered the relevant authorities to implement rescue protocols and the investigation of the facts." "The priority right now is to attend to the injured and to safeguard the physical integrity of those who work there." He also sent his condolences to relatives: "I deeply regret the death of fellow PEMEX workers. My condolences to their families".[6]
The Embassy of the United States in Mexico, tweeted the following: "Please accept our condolences and our deepest sentiments to the families of workers who died in the Pemex Tower"[7]
The Director General of Pemex, Emilio Lozoya Austin , tweeted: "My condolences to all the families of workers @ Pemex who have lost loved ones in the explosion of today."[8]
The National Action Party,[8] the governors of Guerrero, Zacatecas, Veracruz, Morelos, Tabasco and Oaxaca,[9][10] and the Finance Minister, Luis Videgaray Case,[11] and several senators[12] also sent their condolences and expresssed solidarity with the families of the victims.
Meanwhile the ambassador of United Kingdom in Mexico, Judith Macgregor, said she was watching the events and made embassy phones available for any Mexican citizens requiring information, adding that there have been no British deaths.[13]
The Government of Spain issued a press release on behalf of the Spanish people, expressing their most sincere condolences and solidarity with the Mexican authorities and, in particular, for the families of those affected, and also hoping for the speedy recovery of the injured.[14]
The former presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said from Veracruz that he learned "with pain of the sad event that occurred at the offices of PEMEX. My condolences to the families of the victims".[10]
References
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- ^ Weissenstein, Michael (31 January 2013). "14 Dead, 80 Injured in Mexico Oil Company Blast". ABC News. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ "Mexico blast kills at least 32, flagging Pemex safety woes". Reuters. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ "14 dead, 80 injured in Mexico oil company blast". Huffington Post. Associated Press. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ "Ordena Peña investigación por explosión en Pemex" (in Spanish). Nación. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
- ^ "20 muertos por explosion en Torre" (in Spanish). El Universal. 31 January 2013.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help); Unknown parameter|' url=ignored (help) - ^ EPN envía condolencias a familiares de víctimas de explosión en Pemex Enrique Peña Nieto dio a conocer mediante su cuenta de Twitter que “He ordenado a las autoridades correspondientes implementar los protocolos de rescate y la investigación de los hechos” 31/01/2013 17:55http://www.excelsior.com.mx/2013/01/31/nacional/882108
- ^ El Universal – DF – Torre Pemex EU expresa condolencias tras explosión en Pemex
- ^ a b Funcionarios expresan sus condolencias por tragedia en Torre de Pemex Diversos funcionarios han expresado mediante la red social Twitter, sus condolencias a los familiares de las víctimas de la explosión en la Torre de Pemex que ocurrió la tarde de este jueves 31/01/2013 20:29Funcionarios expresan sus condolencias por tragedia en Torre de Pemex | Excélsior
- ^ El Universal – DF – Torre Pemex Gobernadores lamentan fallecimientos
- ^ a b Explosión de Pemex provocó reacciones en redes sociales Univision.com | Fecha: 01/31/2013Ciudad de México Explosión de Pemex provocó reacciones en redes sociales – Univision Noticias
- ^ http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/899961.html
- ^ El Universal – Nación – Torre Pemex Senadores lamentan decesos
- ^ Embajadas expresan condolencias por incidente en Pemex Síguenos en: Pemex | Explosiones en el Distrito Federal | Estados | Ciudad de México Embajadas de EU y Reino Unido en México expresan sus condolencias CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 31/ENE/2013 http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2013/434144/6/embajadas-expresan-condolencias-por-incidente-en-pemex.htm
- ^ España envía condolencias y su solidaridad por la explosión en Pemex | Excélsior