Pemex Blast 'Likely' an Accident

(UPI) — One of the deadliest incidents in the history of the Mexican energy industry is unlikely to have much of a long-term effect, an analyst said.

At least 34 people were killed in an explosion at the Mexico City headquarters of Petroleos Mexicano, or Pemex, last week. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the incident.

The explosion is one of the worst for the sector in Mexico’s history. A 2007 fire at a gas distribution center near the U.S. border left at least 30 people dead.

Alejandra Leon, an analyst for IHS CERA, told Bloomberg News from Mexico City the Pemex incident last week was likely an accident.

“At this point, I don’t think it will have any impact” on the energy sector, she said. “Especially if this is just an accident, which is the most likely cause.”