Pemex confirms death in Oaxaca refinery explosion of injured worker

Pemex released a statement Wednesday confirming that a Pemex worker injured in the explosion at Oaxaca refinery in 'the Port of 'Salina Cruz, died Tuesday night while being treated on his way to hospital.

Medical reports cited by the Mexican newspaper Milenio on Wednesday indicated that Pemex worker Victor Hugo Lopez Matus had suffered third-degree abrasions to over 80% his body in the blast at the Hidros II cooling tower.

Pemex has not confirmed the identity of the worker in its statement. Pemex didn't immediately respond to an inquiry 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.

Six?people? were injured by the fire and taken to hospital, according to the company. According to a source with knowledge of the matter and industry monitor IIR Energy, Pemex (Mexico's state-owned oil company) was forced to partially shut down the refinery after the fire. (Reporting and editing by Anjana Anil, Bengaluru. Toby Chopra Louise Heavens Rod Nickel

(source: Reuters)