BFF-02 Mexico fuel theft tragedy death toll rises to 125

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BFF-02

MEXICO-PETROL-ACCIDENT

Mexico fuel theft tragedy death toll rises to 125

MEXICO CITY, Feb 4, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The death toll from a fiery pipeline
explosion in central Mexico last month reached 125, the government announced
Sunday.

Another 22 people remain in hospital, many of them with burns covering at
least 80 percent of their bodies, the social security office IMSS reported.

On January 18, the fuel-line in Hidalgo state was deliberately punctured,
drawing hundreds of people looking to gather gasoline before it ignited.

The disaster occurred as the government wages a huge effort to clamp down
on fuel theft, which costs Mexico an estimated three billion dollars in 2017.

So-called “huachicol” — as the stolen fuel is known in Mexico — costs
about half of market price.

Mexico is regularly rocked by deadly explosions at illegal pipeline taps, a
dangerous but lucrative business whose players include powerful drug cartels
and corrupt Pemex insiders.

BSS/AFP/GMR/0808 hrs