WWNO skyline header graphic
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Local Newscast
Hear the latest from the WWNO/WRKF Newsroom.

Support local, independent journalism on WWNO with your Member Fest gift now! Click the donate button or Call 844-790-1094.

Gas Buildup Caused Blast At Mexican Oil Company Headquarters

Listen to NPR's Carrie Kahn on All Things Considered

Last week's deadly explosion at the headquarters of Mexico's national oil company was caused by a buildup of gas in the building's basement, the country's attorney general said Monday.

Here's more from The Associated Press:

"Jesus Murillo Karam says an investigation by Mexican, Spanish, U.S. and British experts found no evidence of explosives in the blast that collapsed several lower floors of the Petroleos Mexicanos administrative building on Thursday afternoon.

"He said Monday that the experts believe that an electrical fault had caused a spark that detonated the leaking gas. There was scant evidence of the burn marks typical in a bomb blast, he said. There was also no sign of a crater like that typically left by an explosive device."

The death toll from the explosion is 37. As NPR's Carrie Kahn reported on Monday's All Things Considered, over the weekend crews pulled three more bodies from the PEMEX headquarters.

Here's more from Carrie's story:

"The oil monopoly has been plagued for years by a horrendous accident record, widespread corruption and antiquated infrastructure. Oil output at the state monopoly has been falling and some experts say without the infusion of foreign investment, Mexico, one of the world's largest oil producer may be importing oil by 2018."

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Krishnadev Calamur is NPR's deputy Washington editor. In this role, he helps oversee planning of the Washington desk's news coverage. He also edits NPR's Supreme Court coverage. Previously, Calamur was an editor and staff writer at The Atlantic. This is his second stint at NPR, having previously worked on NPR's website from 2008-15. Calamur received an M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri.

👋 Looks like you could use more news. Sign up for our newsletters.

* indicates required
New Orleans Public Radio News
New Orleans Public Radio Info