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Fatal blast at Venezuela's Amuay refinery Fatal blast at Venezuela's biggest oil refinery Amuay
(about 1 hour later)
At least 19 people have been killed and dozens more injured in an explosion at Venezuela's biggest oil refinery, the local governor says. A gas explosion at Venezuela's biggest oil refinery has killed at least 19 people, starting a fire and causing extensive damage, officials say.
Stella Lugo said there was no risk of further explosions at the Amuay plant in the north of the country. At least 53 people were also injured in the blast at the Amuay plant in Falcon State in the north-west of the country, officials announced.
Officials earlier said a gas tank had blown up during the night, damaging the plant and nearby buildings. State Governor Stella Lugo said nearby houses had been damaged by the blast. The fire is said to be under control.
The Amuay refinery is one of the biggest in the world, producing some 645,000 barrels a day. The refinery, one of the biggest in the world, produces 645,000 barrels a day.
Officials have been giving regular updates on the number of dead and injured. Ms Lugo said there was no risk of further explosions.
Ms Lugo, governor of Falcon state, earlier said seven had died but later revised the figure to 19. Among the dead is a boy of 10. The army was sent in to help ferry the injured to hospital.
She also said more than 50 people had been injured and were being treated in local hospitals.
She said there was still a big fire at the plant, but the situation was under control.
Earlier, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez blamed the explosion on a gas leak.
"It was a significant explosion, there is appreciable damage to infrastructure and houses opposite the refinery," he said.
Analysts say refineries in Venezuela, South America's biggest oil producer, have suffered from a long list of problems including power failures and accidents.Analysts say refineries in Venezuela, South America's biggest oil producer, have suffered from a long list of problems including power failures and accidents.
It was not immediately how the explosion might affect oil shipments from Venezuela.
Troops deployed
"We are deploying our whole fire service team, all our health team, the whole contingency plan on the orders of [President Hugo] Chavez to first of all care for the people affected by this emergency," Governor Lugo said on state TV.
Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said supplies of fuel had been cut off to the part of the refinery still burning.
Troops secured the area and were helping oil workers inspect the damage, as they looked for the cause of the leak.
Mr Ramirez said the blast had occurred at 01:11 (05:41 GMT) on Saturday.
"The gas cloud exploded, igniting at least two storage tanks and other facilities at the refinery," the energy minister told state TV.
"It was a significant explosion, there is appreciable damage to infrastructure and to houses opposite the refinery."
Venezuelan Vice-President Elias Jaua said on his Twitter account that military air ambulances had been dispatched to help evacuate the injured.
He added that the defence minister was travelling to the refinery along with Ms Ramirez and other officials.
Amuay, on the Paraguana Peninsula, is part of the Paraguana Refinery Complex, which also includes the adjacent Cardon refinery.
It is one of the biggest refinery complexes in the world with an overall capacity of 955,000 barrels per day, Reuters news agency notes.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the blast? You can get in touch with the BBC using the form below. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Are you in the area? Did you witness the blast? You can get in touch with the BBC using the form below. When sending us pictures, video or eyewitness accounts at no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.