Pemex confirms death of worker injured in explosion at Oaxaca refinery

May 13, 2026 6:18 AM EDT

A general view shows Mexico's state-owned oil firm Pemex Salina Cruz refinery in Salina Cruz, in Oaxaca state, Mexico, June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jose de Jesus Cortes/ File Photo

May 13 (Reuters) - A ‌Pemex worker ​injured ​in an explosion at Oaxaca refinery in the Port of ‌Salina Cruz died on Tuesday evening while ⁠receiving treatment en route to the hospital, Pemex ‌said in a statement ‌on Wednesday.

Mexican newspaper Milenio reported earlier on Wednesday that Pemex employee Victor Hugo ​Lopez Matus suffered third-degree burns over 80% of his body during the ⁠explosion in the cooling tower of the Hidros II plant, ​according to medical reports.

In its statement, Pemex did not confirm the worker's ​identity. Pemex did not ‌immediately respond to a request for comment.

Late on Monday, Pemex ⁠confirmed that a fire broke out in a cooling tower inside the 325,000-barrel-per-day refinery, which ⁠it said had been fully extinguished.

The company said ​six people were injured and taken to a hospital.

Pemex, Mexico's state oil company, was forced to ‌partially shut down the refinery on Monday after the fire, according ‌to a source familiar with the matter ⁠and industry monitor ‌IIR Energy.

(Reporting ​by Anjana Anil in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Chopra, Louise Heavens, Rod ‌Nickel)



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