Number Of Dead In Mexico Fuel Explosion Rises To 107
![](http://cubasi.cu/sites/default/files/styles/slider/public/imagenes/legado/en/G1/bb3cdfd28630b444b0b5a28b24b9c483_XL.jpg?itok=RPnIbWHA)
Mexico City, Mexico: The death toll from a fiery pipeline explosion in central Mexico reached 107 Thursday, the government announced, with 40 people also injured in the blast last week.
Last Friday, 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 $3 billion 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.
Add new comment