Mexico: a tragedy after the explosion of a clandestine fuel intake

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An explosion in a clandestine fuel intake happened in Tlahuelilpan, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, leaves at least 66 fatalities

At least 66 people are dead and more than 70 are injured after an explosion in a clandestine fuel intake in Tlahuelilpan, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico.

According to the newspaper El País, in an official statement explains that "as the pipeline pressure increased, the fuel outbreak grew considerably and residents (…) came in large numbers with buckets, cans and all kinds of containers. "

Leer en español: México: tragedia tras la explosión de una toma clandestina de combustible

Despite the unsuccessful efforts of more than 25 Army personnel to cordon off the area and remove the more than 200 people who tried to collect fuel spilled on the ground, the tragedy happened.

The leak of the pipeline occurred at 17.00 local time (23.00 GMT) and the fire was completely extinguished at 23.50, local time, according to the secretary of Public Safety, Alfonso Durazo.

"I am very sorry for the serious situation in Tlahuelilpan due to the explosion of a pipeline, I am in Aguascalientes and, since the director of Pemex and the secretary (minister) of Defense informed me, I gave instructions to control the fire and the victims are taken care of, "the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, wrote on Twitter.

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Huachicoleo represents a mortal danger

The huachicoleo or theft of gasoline, has caused losses of up to about 60,000 million pesos or 3.1400 million dollars due to the illegal takes of fuel sold on the black market.

Now, this incident made it possible to demonstrate the deadly dangers that this modality, whose combat has been the focus of the Lopez Obrador government in recent weeks, brings with it.

"He's going to follow the plan. I'm sorry for what happened, but they have to change these things, "Lopez Obrador told a morning press conference. In addition, he added "We are not going to stop, we are going to eradicate this that not only damages materially – not only is what the nation loses because of this illegal trade, this black market of fuels – but the risk, the danger, the loss of human lives ", According to the New York Times in Spanish.

Mexico is mourning

In addition to the president, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard, thanked via Twitter the signs of international solidarity:

"The Government and people of Mexico deeply appreciate the signs of international solidarity. We have received calls from 82 countries to offer help and support on this day of sadness and mourning. Our gratitude always. "

The former president of Mexico, Felipe Calderón, also pronounced: "My deepest condolences to the relatives of the people who lost their lives and my solidarity with the injured in the explosion that occurred in the State of Hidalgo."

LatinAmerican Post | Luisa Fernanda Báez

Translated from: 'México: tragedia tras la explosión de una toma clandestina de combustible'