Amuay Venezuela

Horrid news out of Amuay Venezuela this morning, as an explosion now being blamed on a gas leak  at the big oil refinery during the small hours of today Saturday (01:10am local time) has killed at least 24 people (toll is rising) and injured at least 84, with the casualty list including local residents caught up in the blast. Reports now say that the majority of fatalities have been suffered by the personnel of the Venezuelan army (Guardia Nacional Bolivariana ) on duty at the refinery at the time of the blast. Rolling news coverage of the accident here.

UPDATE: Here's a quote from Rafael Ramírez, Venezuela's Minister for Petroleum and Mining, about the explosaion at Venezuela's largest single refinery:

"We had a gas leak and we are going to determine its origin. The gas formed a cloud that then exploded and has caused fires to break out at two refinery storage tanks and in areas around [the refinery]. The explosive wave was of large magnitude, the result of which is significant damage to infrastructure and houses located in front of the refinery."

He also said that the refinery is temporarily closed and that they expect to re-start operations in two days.

UPDATE 2: The death toll is now at 39, including 18 soldiers, 15 civilians and six other bodies still to be identified. Grim, grim stuff from Venezuela today.