Pipeline explosion in southern Mexico allegedly caused by fuel thieves

No deaths were reported after a fuel pipeline exploded in southern Mexico, an emergency services official said on Thursday , adding that a fire triggered by the blast was under control.

The explosion was allegedly caused by fuel thieves and Mexican state oil firm Pemex is investigating the incident that occurred in one of its pipelines in southern Chiapas state, a company spokesperson said.

David León, Mexico’s head of emergency services

, said the pipeline burst at 23:10 hours on Wednesday in the Reforma municipality of Chiapas. The fire had yet to be extinguished but was under control, he said.

“I don’t have any reports that human life was lost,” he told Mexican television station Milenio.

Two incinerated cars were found at the blast site, Reforma mayor Herminio Valdez told Milenio. They were likely being used to transport stolen fuel, he said.

In January, at least 117 people died when a Pemex pipeline exploded in the state of Hidalgo shortly after President Andrés Manuel López Obrador launched a crackdown on rampant fuel theft, ordering pipelines closed in an effort to stamp out criminal activity.

Mexican Navy member killed in attack while patrolling pipeline

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