Mexican oil company explosion kills 32

Feb 1, 2013 | News

The rescue operation after the the explosion on Thursday at Petroleos Mexicanes headquarters in Mexico City. Photo Courtesy, Twitter

The rescue operation after the the explosion on Thursday at Petroleos Mexicanes headquarters in Mexico City. Photo Courtesy Twitter

The damage after the explosion on Thursday at the Petroleos Mexicanes headquarters in Mexico City. Photo Courtesy, Twitter

The damage after the explosion on Thursday at the Petroleos Mexicanes headquarters in Mexico City. Photo Courtesy Twitter

Compiled by Shumu Haque

The director of Mexican oil company Petroleos Mexicanos has confirmed 32 as the latest death toll following an explosion at the company’s headquarters in Mexico City, reports Animal Politico, an online publication from Mexico.

Earlier today in a press conference, director Emilio Loyoza also confirmed that so far 121 people have been rescued and hospitalized, 52 of whom remain in hospital.

Among the 32 dead, are 12 men and 20 women, said Loyoza.

According to a CBC report from Thursday, the explosion occurred at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday in the basement parking garage next to the company’s 51-storey Pemex tower, one of the tallest towers in Mexico City.

The explosion damaged the first three floors of the building which caused them to collapse.

Although the rescue operation is ongoing, Pemex has returned to its normal operations. Animal Politico reported Loyoza saying the gas supply is “guaranteed,” alluding to concerns from citizens over the gas supply.
According to a tweet from the official Petroloes Mexicanos Twitter account which was translated through Google Translate, the office of the Attorney General was investigating the explosion as the origin is still unknown.

The company tweeted that its priority at the moment is the medical treatment of victims and support for their families.