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Mexico Pipeline Explosion Kills 28

   VOA News 20 December 2010
   Emergency  workers and firefighters work at the scene after a pipeline
   explosion in San Martin Texmelucan, Mexico, 19 Dec 2010

Photo: AP

   Emergency  workers and firefighters work at the scene after a pipeline
   explosion in San Martin Texmelucan, Mexico, 19 Dec 2010

   Mexican  authorities are investigating an explosion at an oil pipeline
   in  Puebla State that killed at least 28 people, including at least 12
   children.
   Officials  say  the  blast  may have been set off by thieves trying to
   steal  crude  oil,  but  have  not  ruled  out  a  possible mechanical
   malfunction.
   Puebla  state  officials described the scene in the town of San Martin
   Texmelucan  as "rivers of fire in the streets." At least 30 homes were
   destroyed  and  dozens  more damaged, forcing people to flee for their
   lives. More than 50 people were injured.
   The state-owned Pemex oil company said the pipeline was carrying crude
   oil under high pressure.
   Fuel  theft  is  rampant  in  the  area,  with hundreds of millions of
   dollars lost each year.

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