Fire has broken out at a Pemex oil refinery in Minatitlán, a town in the Mexican state of Veracruz. Video from the scene shows a plume of black smoke as the facility is engulfed in flames. No casualties have been reported so far.

The incident occurred at the Petróleos Mexicano (Pemex) refinery named after former Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas. Black smoke, flames and repeated explosions can be seen and heard in videos that have made rounds on social media on Wednesday.

¡Última hora! 🆘 🆘 Explosión en la Torre 5 en la refinería de @Pemex en #Minatitlán #Veracruz #CPM_Veracruz pic.twitter.com/BfTtRjxEna

— CPM Veracruz 🇲🇽 (@CPMVeracruz) April 7, 2021

A series of five explosions struck the oil storage area, according to local media.

#Videos Según empleados de la refinería "Lázaro Cárdenas", en Minatitlán, Veracruz, fueron cinco explosiones consecutivas en un área de almacenamiento de tanques de combustóleo.
▶️ https://t.co/Y5cKH8lXvt pic.twitter.com/WqFFGbMeOj

— Proceso (@proceso) April 8, 2021

Explosión en Minatitlán 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HNZivgmT3p

— Fernanda (@FerBetancourt9) April 8, 2021

Incendio en la Refinería Lázaro Cárdenas, en Minatitlán Ver. pic.twitter.com/wWhKhnpNaH

— “Mi Noticias” con Miguel Lopez (@MiguelH99927488) April 8, 2021

One photograph in particular is going viral, showing a Pemex worker scrambling to shut off a valve as a fireball explodes behind him.

Amazing photograph of a @Pemex oil worker closing valves during the fire and explosion inside the Lázaro Cárdenas refinery in #Minatitlán, Veracruz.

📸 unknown author. pic.twitter.com/jGWoS7SIee

— Félix Márquez (@felyxmarquez) April 7, 2021

Around 7:30 pm local time, Pemex said the fire appeared to be under control, adding, “fortunately, it is confirmed that there are no fatalities or serious injuries.”

Also on rt.com

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Source: RT