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Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie
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2 Dead, 5 Injured in Chemical Leak in Texas


Fri 11 Oct 2024 | 03:54 PM
Israa Farhan

A chemical leak at the Deer Park oil refinery in Texas has resulted in two fatalities and injuries to five individuals, prompting a significant emergency response on Thursday.

Authorities received reports of the incident around 4:40 PM local time, activating emergency protocols as local officials urged residents to shelter in place.

Citizens were instructed to remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and turn off air conditioning systems until further notice.

The incident occurred when a contractor inadvertently opened a line containing highly toxic hydrogen sulfide gas at the refinery, which is operated by the Mexican state-owned petroleum company Pemex.

Initial reports indicate that the contractor is among the deceased, while the authorities have confirmed one fatality and have reported a second body being airlifted from the site by a Life Flight helicopter.

In a statement, Pemex explained that safety measures were promptly enacted, including the cessation of operations in the coking and hydro-treating units and the implementation of safety venting procedures in compliance with established protocols.

The company stated that there have been no reported impacts on the surrounding community.

Due to the seriousness of the leak, a shelter-in-place order was issued for Deer Park and nearby Pasadena, emphasizing the urgency for residents to avoid exposure to the hazardous substance.

Hydrogen sulfide is widely used in industrial applications, particularly in petroleum production and refining, and can be lethal with prolonged exposure to elevated levels.