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| Huge blast stops Venezuela's main oil refinery Amuay | Huge blast stops Venezuela's main oil refinery Amuay |
| (2 days later) | |
| A huge explosion at Venezuela's biggest oil refinery has killed at least 26 people and halted production for two days, officials say. | A huge explosion at Venezuela's biggest oil refinery has killed at least 26 people and halted production for two days, officials say. |
| At least 80 people were also injured in the blast which started a fire at the Amuay plant in Falcon state in the north-west of the country. | At least 80 people were also injured in the blast which started a fire at the Amuay plant in Falcon state in the north-west of the country. |
| State Governor Stella Lugo said nearby houses had been damaged by the blast. The fire is said to be under control. | State Governor Stella Lugo said nearby houses had been damaged by the blast. The fire is said to be under control. |
| The refinery, one of the biggest in the world, produces 645,000 barrels a day. | The refinery, one of the biggest in the world, produces 645,000 barrels a day. |
| Ms Lugo said there was no risk of further explosions. | Ms Lugo said there was no risk of further explosions. |
| Among the dead is a boy of 10. | Among the dead is a boy of 10. |
| Venezuelan Vice-President Elias Jaua, who travelled to the area in western Venezuela, said 17 of the victims were members of the National Guard stationed at the plant. | Venezuelan Vice-President Elias Jaua, who travelled to the area in western Venezuela, said 17 of the victims were members of the National Guard stationed at the plant. |
| He added that military air ambulances had been dispatched to help evacuate the injured. | He added that military air ambulances had been dispatched to help evacuate the injured. |
| President Hugo Chavez has declared three days of national mourning. | President Hugo Chavez has declared three days of national mourning. |
| 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. |
| Gas leak | Gas leak |
| Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez confirmed operations at the plant had stopped but he expected them to resume by Monday. | Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez confirmed operations at the plant had stopped but he expected them to resume by Monday. |
| He said that Venezuela had enough fuel supplies to guarantee continued exports and domestic supply, according to the Associated Press news agency. | He said that Venezuela had enough fuel supplies to guarantee continued exports and domestic supply, according to the Associated Press news agency. |
| Troops secured the area and were helping oil workers inspect the damage. | Troops secured the area and were helping oil workers inspect the damage. |
| Mr Ramirez said the blast had occurred at 01:11 (05:41 GMT) on Saturday and had been caused by a gas leak. | |
| "The gas cloud exploded, igniting at least two storage tanks and other facilities at the refinery," the energy minister told state TV. | "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." | "It was a significant explosion, there is appreciable damage to infrastructure and to houses opposite the refinery." |
| "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. | "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. |
| Amuay, on the Paraguana Peninsula, is part of the Paraguana Refinery Complex, which also includes the adjacent Cardon refinery. | 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. | 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. |