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5 killed in fire at major oil refinery in southern Mexico

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Five people were killed after a fire broke in the perimeter of a major oil refinery in southern Mexico following heavy rain and flooding, according to PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned oil company.

The incident happened Tuesday at the Olmeca refinery in Paraiso, a city in Tabasco state on Mexico’s Gulf coast. PEMEX said heavy rain caused oily water to overflow beyond the refinery’s perimeter wall, where the liquid pooled and later caught fire outside the facility.

Five people were killed in the incident, according to PEMEX, and the dead included one company worker. The company also said it is providing care and support to those injured, but did not say how many people were hurt or provide details about their conditions.

Earlier, PEMEX said the fire, which is now under control, was detected at about 6 a.m. around the perimeter of a hydrocarbon storage area at the refinery. The company said the refinery’s storage installations were not damaged and remain in normal operating condition.

The Olmeca refinery, also known as Dos Bocas, is one of Mexico’s newest refineries and one of the country’s most important energy projects. It was built to increase Mexico’s domestic fuel production.

PEMEX said personnel from its security division are working with authorities to determine the exact cause of the incident.

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