Leader Vows to Intensify Crackdown on Fuel Theft
AMN
At least 66 people were killed and 76 were injured when a ruptured fuel pipeline exploded in central Hidalgo state. Governor of the state, Omar Fayad said the pipeline apparently exploded hours after thieves drilled an illegal tap into the pipeline.
The tragedy comes as President Lopez Obrador has pressed implementation of his national fuel theft prevention plan.
The government has shut off key pipelines until they can be fully secured and has deployed the army to guard production facilities.
The blast underscored the deadly perils of the fuel-theft racket, which has cost the government billions of dollars a year and has been the target of a weekslong crackdown by the administration of Mexico’s new president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
One of those wounded by the blast — there were at least 71 — being transferred to a helicopter. Villagers, including families, had gathered to scoop up fuel from the breach.
About two hours after the authorities learned of the break, the fuel ignited, causing a huge explosion and sending flames and clouds of smoke into the sky. Videos and photographs circulating on social media and broadcast on Mexican news channels showed people engulfed in fire running away from the blaze and victims screaming in pain and waiting for help.